Drumstick tree, Sataw tree
Parkia javanica

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tall tree. It grows 50 m tall. The trunk is tall, clear and smooth. The leaves are finely divided twice. There are 15-30 pairs of leaflets. The smallest leaflets are 13 mm long. The flowers are showy. They are white with yellow stamens. They are in round fuzzy heads. These hang on long stalks from round knobs. They have the smell of sour milk. These flower heads have 3 types of flowers. There are infertile ones near the stalk, male flowers in the middle and bisexual flowers at the tip. The fruit is a pod. It is 15-30 cm long. They are pale green and in spirals. Many pods hang in groups from the flower heads. The seeds are fleshy and orange-pink. There are 15-20 seeds in each pod. The seeds are garlic flavoured and edible.

Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native from India to Indonesia. It grows in humid lowland forests. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Cuba, East Africa, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, SE Asia (country/location of origin), West Indies

How it is used for food

The young seeds are roasted and used for flavouring. The young fruit are eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seedlings grow quickly at first. Plants are pollinated by bats.

Its other names

Local names

Alai, Beka, Bereksa, Boli, Cupang, Gedayong, Kadaong, Karieng, Kedaung, Kedawang, Kedhawung, Kerayong, Kukitetoi, Peunheuy, Pohon petai kedawung, Pohon petai peundeuy, Pukkatetoi, Tulor, Youngchak

Synonyms

Parkia roxburghii G.Don; Parkia timoriana Merr.; Mimosa biglobosa Roxb. non Benth.; It may be a hybrid of Parkia speciosa and Parkia intermedia;