Guioa diplopetala

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A shrub or tree. It can be 1-18 m high. The leaves are alternate and compound. The flowers are 4 mm across. They are white and occur in groups. The fruit are 14 mm across and red. They have 3 lobes. The seeds are dark and have a white fleshy layer or aril around them.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in both forests and swamps. It occurs up to 1,500 m above sea level. It can grow on alluvial sites and ridges and also occurs on limestone.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Cambodia, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand

How it is used for food

The aril of fleshy layer around the seeds is probably edible. Caution: There have been some reports that it is poisonous.

Edible parts

Fruit, aril, caution

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Belimbing talun, Mentuga

Synonyms

Arytera karang Miq.; Cupania diplopetala Hassk.; Cupania fascidula Kurz; Cupania minjalilen Blume; Cupania regularis Blume; Guioa bullata Radlk.; Guioa diplopetala forma borneensis Radlk.; Guioa diplopetala forma genuina Radlk.; Guioa diplopetala var. borneensis (Radlk.) Radlk.; Guioa fuscidula (Kurz) Radlk.; Guioa fuscidula var. glabrescens King; Guioa leptoneura Radlk.; Guioa microphylla Radlk.; Guioa minjalilen (Blume) Radlk.; Guioa regularis (Blume) Radlk.; Guioa squamosa Radlk.; Guioa squamosa forma genuina Radlk.; Guioa squamosa forma lineolata-punctata Radlk.; Guioa diplopetala forma microcarpa Radlk.;