Cheilosa montana

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows up to 25 m tall. The leaves are alternate and simple. The leaves are narrowly oblong. They are 25 cm long by 10 cm wide. The flowers are in spike like groups. These are slender and 8 cm long. They can occur singly or in groups on branches. The fruit is a narrowly oval capsule. It is 5 cm long and splits open. They are pale green to yellow. The flesh is white. The fruit have a thick woody covering.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in forests up to 500 m altitude above sea level. It can be up to 1,200 m above sea level. It grows on rocky, sandy and clay soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten. They are also used to make an alcoholic drink. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bua tampoi, Gurak gatuk, Kapajang hutan, Ketapi danau, Tampoi, Tampul, Tempuni

Synonyms

Baccaurea malayana King ex Hook.f.; Baliospermum analayanum Hook. f. ex B. D. Jacks; Baliospermum malatanum Hook. f.; Cheilosa homaliifolia Merr.; Cheilosa homaliifolia var. grandifolia Merr.; Cheilosa malayana Corner ex Airy Shaw; Cheilosa montana var. longifolia S. Moore; Scortechinia malayana Ridl.;