Java olive, Skunk Tree, Poon tree, Wild almond
Sterculia foetida

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows to 10-20 m high. The tree has a straight trunk and branches to form a small crown. The bark is brown and flakes off. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are crowded at the ends of branches. They are compound and with 7 to 9 leaflets borne in a ring at the end of the leaf stalk. Each leaflet is 10-18 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. They have a pointed tip. The leaf stalk is 15-24 cm long and grooved. The flowers are strongly scented. They are red, dull yellow or purple. They are 2-4 cm wide in clusters 15-20 cm long and shaped like a pyramid. Male and female flowers are separate. The fruit are large, woody, nearly smooth and oval. They are 7.5-10 cm long and flattened. They turn red when ripe. The ripe fruit splits open showing large black seeds. The seeds are edible.

Seeds are above-average for angiospermous plants for the amino acids: Alanine, Aspartic acid, Histidine, Isoleucine, Lysine, Methionine, Proline, and Valine. Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. Plants grow in the tropical lowlands in dry woodlands. They are common throughout the islands of the Philippines along the seashores and partly open forests at low and medium altitudes. In Nepal it grows up to 300 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Cambodia, Cuba, Djibouti, East Africa, East Timor, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Malaysia, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Uganda, USA, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen

How it is used for food

The seed kernels are eaten raw. They can also be roasted like chestnuts. They can be soaked to remove the skins before roasting. The seeds can be used for oil. CAUTION: The seeds eaten in large numbers can cause diarrhoea and headaches. They probably should be cooked well. Immature seeds are not eaten. The rootstock of the young plant can be eaten raw. The leaves are used for food.

Edible parts

Nuts, seeds, leaves, roots

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. It can also be grown from mature cuttings. Some trees need cross pollination to produce fruit.

It is fast growing. A tree can yield 20 kg of nuts.

Its other names

Local names

Ai-nitas, Arbol del clavo, Badam, Bana, Bhatala penari, Chamahong, Gurapa badam chettu, Gurapa-orguttapubadamu, Hill coconut, Jangkang, Jangali badam, Jangli badam, Jangli-the, Kadung-hta, Kaju, Kalumpang, Kelumpang, Kempuh, Kepoh, Khau-rang, Koleangka, Kongatti, Letkok, Letpan-shaw, Peenaree marum, Poh, Pohon kepuh, Pohu odal, Pottaikavalam, Pottakavalam, Sam rang, Sam, Samraong, Samrong breng, Shaw-byu, Shaw-wah, Sumrong, Telambu, Trom hoi

Synonyms

Clompanus foetida (L.) Kuntze; Clompanus foetidus (L.) Kuntze; Sterculia mexicana var. guianensis Sagot;