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Pangium edule
| Family Name: | Achariaceae |
| Common Name: | Kepayang, Pangi, Buah Keluak, Keluak, Payang |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Malaysia, Southeast Asia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A large perennial and evergreen tree with many branches, growing up to 40 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green foliage are clustered or spirally arranged at the apex of tiny branches or twigs, with long petioles. Leaf blades are broadly ovate, measuring up to 25 cm long, with cordate or truncate base and acuminate apex, entire margin, and have palmate venation. |
| Flowers | Flowers are unisexual; male flowers are in racemes, each flower has 5-6 petals, and many stamens; female flowers are solitary, similar shape as male flowers, each flower has ovoid ovary and sessile stigma. |
| Fruit | Large brown fruits with rough skin are ovoid to subglobose in shape, indehiscent, measuring 15 - 30 cm long. |
| Habitat | The tree occurs in primary and secondary rainforest, as well as along riverbanks. |
| Cultivation | The tree is cultivated in villages for its seeds. |
| Etymology | The specific epithet edule means edible, which refers to the fruit. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Seeds Food (Herb or Spice): The seed kernel is edible after process of removing the toxic substance, the hydrocyanic acid (cyanide). In Fiji and Papua New Guinea, the seed kernels are washed, fermented and roasted before consumed. In some other areas, the seeds are firstly boiled for a few hours and soaked in water for a few days. Some alternative methods include burying in ash for around 40 days. In Singapore and Malaysia, the seeds are used in Peranakan cuisine such as 'ayam buah keluak' and 'babi buah keluak' while in Indonesia, they are used as ingredients for 'sayur kluwak' and 'soto rawon'. Medicinal: The leaves are said to have medicinal properties to destroy parasitic worm (anthelmintic) and applied on itchy skin caused by parasites. Cultural / Religious: Heritage Trees : There is currently one individual of Pangium edule listed as a Heritage Tree in Singapore. It can be found at Singapore Botanic Gardens. To find out more about these trees, please visit the Heritage Tree Register. Others: In some parts of Malaysia, the crushed seeds are placed in water to lure and daze fish and shrimps. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Spiral |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate) |
| Foliar Venation | Palmate |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Truncate / Square, Cordate |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.0 (Tree - Dense Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Green - Light Green |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary, Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Rough |
| Mature Seed Colour(s) | Brown, Silver / Grey |
| Mature Seed Texture(s) | Rough |
| Seed Description | Many seeds, ovate and compressed, grey colour, measuring around 5 cm long. |
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Numerous (>20) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1757 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3050 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |