Bird lime tree
Pisonia umbellifera

Family: Nyctaginaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5-15 m high. The trunk is 30 cm across. It is branched near the base. The leaves are alternate or opposite and in clusters. The leaf blade is oval and 6-20 cm long and 4-10 cm wide. They are soft. The leaf stalk is 2-5 cm long. The flowers are small and very fragrant. They contain both sexes. The fruit are 2-5 cm long and have ribs. They are sticky.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in rainforest and monsoon forest. In Fiji it grows from sea level to 825 m altitude. It can grow in exposed coastal strips or in forest. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

American Samoa, Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), China, Christmas Island, East Timor, Fiji, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mariana Islands, Marquesas, Pacific (country/location of origin), Philippines, Saipan, SE Asia (country/location of origin), Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young leaves are steamed and eaten.

It is a cultivated plant.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or by cuttings or air-layering.

Its other names

Local names

Biru, Bison tan, Bugho, Kol banda, Kulbum, Maluko, Ndainga, Papala, Parapara, Pohon gendala, Roro

Synonyms

Calpidia subnitens Heimerl; Ceodes umbellifera J.R. & G. Forster; Ceodes umbellata Forst.f.; Pisonia alba Span.; Pisonia excelsa Bl.; Pisonia mooriana F. Muell.; Pisonia viscosa Seem.; Ceodes excelsa Skottsb.; Ceodes umbellifera f. acuminata Heimerl; Ceodes umbellifera var. acuminata Heimerl. ex J.W. Parham;