Bolon
Platymitra arborea

Family: Annonaceae

What it is like

A medium sized to large tree with a straight and round trunk. It grows 40 m tall. The trunk is 70 cm across. The leaves are oblong and 10-15 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. The leaves are somewhat leathery and shiny. They have some hairs underneath but become smooth. The flowers are small and yellow. The fruit are borne singly on thick stalks. They are about 5 to 8 cm long and brown.

The Annonaceae are a mainly tropical family. There are 135 genera and 2,500 species. The fruit of Platymitra arborea are considered to have health benefits.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They are found in forests of middle Luzon and Visayan region of the Philippines at low and medium altitudes.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The fleshy portion of the fruit is eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kalai, Kalay, Lanotan, Lanutan, Malatambon, Palokalai, Sapiro

Synonyms

Alphonsea arborea (Blanco) Merr.; Alphonsea philippinensis Merr.; Macanea arborea Blanco; Monocarpia blancoi Fern.-Vill. Illeg.; Platymitra arborea (Blanco) P. J. A. Kessler