Indian rose chestnut
Mesua ferrea

Family: Clusiaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 18-30 m tall. It spreads 6 m wide. It often has buttresses. The bark is grey but turns brown and peels off in white flakes. The leaves are simple and deep green. They are sword shaped and 15 cm long. They are leathery. The leaves have a waxy coating underneath. New leaves are red. The flowers are white and have a scent. They have 4 petals and many yellow stamen. The fruit is fleshy with a stone inside. The fruit are 5 cm across. They have a woody rind. The stigma remains at the tip and the calyxes at the base. The fruit have 4 seeds.

The seeds yield an inedible oil used in industry. There are about 3-5 Mesua species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to Asia. It grows between 500-600 m altitude in China. In India it grows from 60-1200 m altitude. It grows in evergreen humid forest. It can grow in bright shade or full sun. It does best in rich, slightly acid soil. In XTBG Yunnan. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young leaves can be eaten raw. The oily seeds need to be well cooked and then are eaten. The fruit is used as an addition to some dishes.

A cultivated tree.

Edible parts

Seeds, fruit, leaves

How it is grown

It can be grown from fresh seed or cuttings using mist. Half hardened cuttings should be used. Fresh seed germinate in about 10-14 days. Seed are best to be soaked before sowing. Seedlings can be transplanted when 2-3 years old.

It is slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Bosneak, Bun nak, Bun-naak, Changkok, Dieng-ngai, Gangane, Gangaw, Ironwood, Irul, Ka thang, Kawtanok, Kesaramu, Lenggapus, Mai-kam-kaw, Mai-ting, Matopus, May lek, Mentepus, Mesua, Na, Nag champa, Naga sari, Nagacesara, Nagachambagam, Nagachampakamu, Nagakeshara, Nagasampige, Nagasari, Nagas tree, Nagchampa, Nagesar, Nageswar, Nagkesar, Nagkesara, Nahor, Nak but, Nanga, Nangal, Nangu, Ngai-ching, Penaga lilin, Penaga puteh, Penaga sabut, Penaga suga, Penaga, Penga kunyit, Peri, Poached egg tree, Pohon nagasari, Tapis, Vap, Veluthapala

Synonyms

Calophyllum nagassarium N. L. Burman; Mesua nagana Gardner; Mesua nagassarium (N. L. Burman) Kostermans;