Java almond tree
Canarium decumanum

Family: Burseraceae

What it is like

A large tree with very large buttresses. These can be 8 m high and 5 m across. The tree grows to 30-60 m high. The trunk can be 1-2 m across. The small branches are 1-1.5 cm across and angular. These leave large leaf scars. At the base of the leaf stalk there are small stipules that look like small simple leaves without teeth around the edge. The leaves are arranged in spirals. They are made up of 4-6 pairs of leaflets. The leaves are 35-45 cm long and the leaflets are oval and between 5-30 cm long by 3-10 cm wide. The leaflets are stiff and papery. The base of the leaflets is rounded. The tip of the leaf tapers to a point. The flower clusters occur in the axils of leaves. The male flower clusters are 4-19 cm long with many flowers, while the female flower clusters are 5-7 cm long and with few flowers. The fruiting cluster has few fruits and there is not one flower at the end of the cluster. The fruit are somewhat triangular in cross section and 7-8 cm long by 4-6 cm wide. There can be 1 to 3 seeds inside the fruit.

There are 80-95 Canarium species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in primary forests at low altitudes. It grows up to 100 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The seeds or kernels are eaten.

It is a cultivated food plant. The nuts are a minor food.

Edible parts

Seeds kernel, nuts

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Plants flower from April to May and fruit June to November.

Its other names

Local names

Jelamu, Jilapat, Kedungdong, Kerari, Pamotodon, Pohon kenari babi

Synonyms

Canariopsis decumana Bl. ex Miq.; Pimela decumana Bl.;