Cynometra cauliflora
Content
Description
Tree 3-15 m tall.
Leaves 1-jugate.
Inflorescences cauliflorous: 4 or 5 small racemes fascicled on hard knots on the trunk; rachis 0.5-3 cm long, glabrous; bracts 1-10 mm long, ciliate; bracteoles 1.5 mm long, inserted 1.25-2 mm above the base of pedicels; pedicels 3-6.5 mm, laxly pubescent or glabrous.
Sepals 2-4 mm long.
Petals 3-4 mm long.
Stamens (8-) 10, varying in one plant; filaments rarely with 1 or 2 hairs.
Ovary rather densely hairy, with long and short hairs; stipe 0.75 mm; style 5-6 mm, hairy up to halfway.
Fruits fleshy, rather kidney-shaped, rugose, 2.7-3 by 1.8-2 by 1 cm, glabrescent.
Distribution
Asia-Tropical: India cultivated
Only known in cultivated state, possibly a cultigen derived from eastern Malesia, not common; introduced and cultivated in various places in Malesia for its edible fruits. It is now also cultivated in India. See
Uses
Fruits can be eaten raw, but are better stewed with sugar. They are also used as seasoned additions to food or pickled.
Citation
Hassk. 1848: Pl. Jav. Rar. 413.
Koord. & Valeton 1894 – In: Bijdr. Booms. Java. p 271
Meeuwen 1970 – In: Blumea. p 20
Hassk. 1848: Pl. Jav. Rar. 413.
H. Keng 1990: Cone. Fl. Sing. 34.
Whitmore 1972 – In: Tree Fl. Malaya. p 254
K. & S.S. Larsen 1984 – In: Fl. Thailand. p 46
Kosterm. 1982 – In: Reinwardtia. p 68