Calophyllum apetalum

Family: Clusiaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 8-30 m tall. The trunk is 80 cm across. The young branches are angular. It has a yellow sticky sap. The leaves are simple and opposite. The cross over at the base. The leaf blade is 4-8 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. They are oval and rounded at the ends. The flowers are white and in groups in the axils of the leaves. The fruit is yellowish-brown and oval. It is 1.5 cm long and has one seed.

There are about 187-200 Calophyllum species. They are evergreen trees of the tropics. Also put in the family Hypericaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in forests along rivers. It grows up to 900 m above sea level. It can grow up to higher elevations.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India

How it is used for food

The leaves are used as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Bobbi, Cherupinnai, Irai, Poon, Poonspar of Travancore, Sarpuna, Sirubinnai

Synonyms

Calophyllum calaboides G Don; Calophyllum decipiens Wight; Calophyllum wightianum Wall. ex Planch. & Triana;