Horsfieldia irya

Family: Myristicaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 10-45 m tall. The stem has red sap. The branches extend out parallel to the ground. The leaves are alternate and simple. They are narrowly oval and 25 cm long. The flowers are 2 mm across. They are yellow. They occur in groups. The fruit are 17 mm across. They are yellow to orange. They are smooth capsules. The seeds have a red fleshy layer or aril around them.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in primary and secondary forests. It grows up to 300 m above sea level. It is often on sites that are occasionally flooded. In Vietnam it grows up to 1,100 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Cambodia, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Micronesia, Myanmar, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Young leaves are eaten fresh with other vegetables and with meat.

The fruit are occasionally recorded as eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

The seeds contain an air chamber allowing them to float on water.

Its other names

Local names

Chemeklachel, Darah-darah, Kayu rah, Kumpang, Piasau mamau, Salinguat, Xangmau rach

Synonyms

Horsfieldia acuminata Merr.; Horsfieldia amklaal Kaneh.; Horsfieldia congestiflora A. C. Sm.; Horsfieldia labillardieri Warb.; Horsfieldia lemanniana (A. DC.) Warb.; Myristica javanica Blume; Myristica lemanniana A. DC.; Myristica micrantha Wall.; Myristica sphenocarpa Wall.; Myristica subglobosa Miq.; Myristica vrieseana Miq.;