Berangan duri
Castanopsis costata

Family: Fagaceae

What it is like

A moderate sized tree. It grows 36 m high. The trunk is 80 cm across. The leaves are leathery. There can be rusty brown hairs underneath. The leaves are 11-15 cm long by 3-7 cm wide. Male and female flowers are separate. The male flowering stalks are 9-14 cm long. The male flowers are in clusters of 2-3. The female flowering stalks are 7-12 cm long. The female flowers are in clusters of 3. The fruit cups are almost round. and about 2 cm across. There are 2-3 nuts in each cup. They are cone shaped and up to 2 cm long by 1.5 cm wide.

There are about 120 Castanopsis species. Many have edible nuts.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in lowland forests and up to 1,900 m above sea level. It is often along rivers.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Brunei, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, SE Asia, Thailand

How it is used for food

The nuts are eaten raw or roasted. They can be used in pastries.

The nuts are often eaten by children.

Edible parts

Nuts

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bangan, Berangan, Berangan gunung, Berengan, Ko muu, Tibung

Synonyms

Castanea brevicuspis Miq.; Castanea costata Blume; Castanea spectabilis Miq.; Castanopsis costata var. bancana Scheff.; Castanopsis brevicuspis (Miq.) A. DC.; Castanopsis spectabilis (Miq.) A. DC.; Castanopsis trisperma Scheff.;