Kadam, Common bur-flower tree
Neonauclea purpurea

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It grows 45 m high. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are 10-30 cm long by 5-14 cm wide. The young leaves are pale green and softly hairy. The flowers are white and turn pale orange. They are in dense round heads. They are 4-6 cm across. The fruit are in heads 4-5 cm across. They are green and turn brown. They split into 4 sections with many small seeds. There can be 8,000 seeds.

There is some confusion over the names and synonyms Breonia chinensis and Neonauclea purpurea - both also put as Anthocephalus chinensis with different authorities.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It is often along rivers in sites that are occasionally flooded. It grows up to 1,000 m altitude. In Sikkim it grows between 300-750 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Central America, China, Costa Rica, Guianas, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Northeastern India, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Sikkim, Singapore, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw or cooked. They can be cooked with fish or other vegetables. They are slightly acidic. The harvested fruit can only be stored for 4-5 days.

Edible parts

Flowers, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds.

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Be'lang, Kadam, Kodom, Logehu arong, Nipang lulang esing, Pohon jabon, Raghu, Yi'pong

Synonyms

Anthocephalus chinensis Walp.; Bancalus purpureus (Roxb.) Kuntze; Nauclea elliptica Dalzell & Gibson [Illegitimate]; Nauclea purpurea Roxb.;