Hal
Vateria copallifera

Family: Dipterocarpaceae

What it is like

A large evergreen tree. It grows 40 m tall. The branches are spreading and the crown is round. The leaves are 11-50 cm long by 8-18 cm wide. They are oblong. The flowers are in panicles 25 cm long and 4 cm wide. They have 12 cm long branches with 8 flowers. The fruit is a nut 11 cm long by 7 cm wide.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the wet, lowland tropics. It grows up to 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Sri Lanka (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The seeds are ground into meal and eaten. They are put in bag in running water for a day to remove the bitter taste. It is then mixed with rice flour and used in cooked dishes.

Edible parts

Seeds, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Elaeocarpus copalliferus Retz.; Hemiphractum oxyandrum Turcz.;