Hopea odorata

Family: Dipterocarpaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It grows 40 m tall. The trunk is 80 cm across. It keeps its leaves throughout the year. The trunk is straight and cylinder shaped for 25 m and usually has stilt roots. The bark is scaly and brown to black. The leaves are narrowly oval and 8-14 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. They are broadly wedge shaped at the base and taper to the tip. The flowers are in groups in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. The flower branches are 17 cm long and there are 3-9 flowers. They are pale yellow to cream coloured. The fruit is oval and 6-8 mm across. There are 2 large wings 4-7 cm long by 1-2 cm wide.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows up to 600 m above sea level. It is often along streams on deep rich soil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Cambodia, India, Indochina, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit are chewed.

Edible parts

Fruit - masticatory

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Khen, Khen hua, Koki msao, Sao, Sao cat, Sao den, Sao nghe, Sao xanh

Synonyms

Doona odorata (Roxb.) Burck;