Kadah dillenia tree
Dillenia ovata

Family: Dilleniaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 6-12 m tall but can be 30 m tall. The trunk is knotted and without branches for 5 m. The trunk can be 100 cm across. The bark is flaky and reddish brown. The leaves are large. They are oval and 10-20 cm long by 7-13 cm wide. There can be teeth along the edge. They have velvety hairs underneath. The flowers are golden yellow. They can be 16 cm across. The fruit are egg shaped and 4-5 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. They are pale yellow to reddish when ripe. The seeds are blackish brown.

There are about 60 Dillenia species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in mixed evergreen and deciduous forest. It grows up to 1,500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Cambodia, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten and are popular. The calyx around the fruit is used for flavouring.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Beriga, Entepung rimba, Jongong, Kadjang, Kayu pajan, Ketang bajut, Kok saan, May san, Phlou thom, Phlu thom, Phul thom, Pohon sempur minyak, San nhai, Simpur, So trai, Suretang, Tempuru

Synonyms

Dillenia grandifolia Wall. ex Hook.f. & Thomson;