Anisoptera
Anisoptera thurifera

Family: Dipterocarpaceae

What it is like

A large forest tree with a straight trunk and buttresses. The tree can be 50 m tall. The trunk can be 1.2 m across. The crown can be large and irregular. The tree can lose its leaves during the year. The bark is 2 cm thick and the outer bark can be reddish brown with rectangular flakes. The wood has gum canals running along it which secrete a clear, strongly smelling resin. The leaves are carried one after another on opposite sides of the branch. The leaves are oval and 12 cm long by 7 cm wide. The base of the leaf is rounded and the tip is slightly pointed. The leaves are moderately thick and leathery. The leaves are green on both sides but duller underneath, and on 3 cm long leaf stalks. The leaves have a brownish-green appearance. These become hairless at maturity. The flowers occur in clusters and droop and are yellow. The clusters occur in the axils of leaves and at the ends of branches. The fruit are round, 1.5-2 cm across with 2 wings along the sides.

The wood is often used for plywood. There are 12-15 Anisoptera species. They have also been put in the family Dilleniaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. Common and widely distributed in primary forest at low altitudes in the Philippines. In Papua New Guinea it occurs on ridges in coastal ranges. Often a large number of trees occur together.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Malaysia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The seeds are pounded and eaten raw or cooked. The gum is chewed.

Edible parts

Seeds, nuts, oil, gum

How it is grown

Trees are often self sown. They can presumably be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Mersawa, Palosapis, Sanai

Synonyms

Anisoptera polyandra Bl.;