Allophylus cobbe (L.)
Raeuschel, Nomencl. ed. 3 (1779)
Latin for the local Sri Lankan name 'kobbae'.
Synonyms
More then a hundred synonym names are listed in the synonymy file provided
with this website.
Description
Shrub up to 10 m tall and 13 cm dbh. Stipules absent. Leaves alternate, tri-foliolate
compound, leaflets penni-veined, glabrous to densely hairy, margin entire to
toothed. Flowers ca. 3 mm diameter, white-yellowish, placed in long racemes.
Fruits ca. 8 mm diameter, red, drupes.
Ecology
In undisturbed to slightly disturbed (open sites) mixed dipterocarp, sub-montane
and coastal forests up to 1700 m altitude. Often along rivers and streams
(including tidal ones) and forest edges, also on hillsides. On sandy to clay
soils, but also on limestone and ultrabasic. In secondary forests usually
present as a pre-disturbance remnant.
Uses
The wood is used for small construction work, fire-wood, and as floats for
boats and fish traps. The bark, roots and leaves are used to treat stomach ache
and fever. The fruits are edible, although they are also used as fish poison.
Distribution
Pantropical. In Borneo collected throughout the island.
Local names in Borneo
Pamaman.
