Illipe nuts, Kawang meranti tree
Shorea mecistopteryx
Family: Dipterocarpaceae
What it is like
A large tree. It grows 60 m tall. The trunk can be 160 cm across. It has buttresses 2 m tall. The leaves are oblong and 13-20 cm long by 6-10 cm wide. The base is heart shaped and they are golden woolly underneath. The flowers are in groups in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. The fruit is an oval nut with yellowish hairs. There are 3 longer calyx lobes 23 cm long by 3.3 cm wide and 2 shorter lobes.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in primary and secondary forests and on low hills up to 400 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, SE Asia, Singapore
How it is used for food
The oil is used in the chocolate industry.
Edible parts
Nuts - oil
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Angkabang larai, Pohon meranti kawang, Pohon tengkawang layar