Billabong tree, Corkwood
Carallia brachiata

Family: Rhizophoraceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows up to 5-15 m tall. Sometimes it has aerial roots. The bark is cream and thick. It has cracks along it and a corky texture. The branches are in pairs which cross at right angles. It has spreading branches which point upwards. It spreads to 3-6 m wide. It can occasionally have buttresses and aerial roots. The leaves are oval and broad. They are 7-14 cm long by 4-8 cm wide. The leaves are rich glossy green on top. They have a papery texture and the underside is covered with tiny black spots. The midrib is raised underneath the leaf. The leaf stalk is 1.2 cm long. The flowers are small and composed of 5-8 greenish petals up to 2 mm long. The flowers are borne in clusters in short woody stems. These are produced in the axils of leaves or on old wood. The fruit are succulent berries which are green but turn red when ripe. They are 0.6 cm across. The have persistent sepals at their crown. The ripe fruit are edible. There is one seed inside. It is 4-5 mm across.

There are about 15 Carallia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in rainforests along river banks and the edges of freshwater swamps. It will grow on a range of soils. It can grow on salty soils or in areas with salt spray. In Indonesia it grows to 1,800 m altitude. In Madagascar it grows up to 1,500 m altitude. In XTBG Yunnan. In Townsville Anderson BG.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, East Africa, East Timor, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are acidic. The leaves are used for a tea like drink. The seeds yield an edible oil.

It is not known if it is used as a food in Papua New Guinea. The fruit are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves - tea, seeds - oil

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. The seed should be sown fresh.

It is moderately fast growing. In northern Australia it fruits June to October. (April to July). In NE Thailand fruit are available June to August.

Its other names

Local names

Andipunaru, Anwirdu, Bibis, Cork Tree, Daini jam, Ganding, Hpun, Kanthekera, Karalli, Kathal boula, Kesinga, Kieng pra, Kierpa, Lotkao, Mahithekera, Maniawga, Maniawya, Matan, Merpoi, Merpuing, Muyu, Panasi, Pohon bilabong, Pohon buah kanis, Punschi, Roskao, Sepat, Sohkhwe, Theiria, Theng vothung, Tromeng, Varanga, Yat

Synonyms

Carallia integerrima DC.; Carallia lucida Roxb.; and several others