Kadam tree, Philippine Wonder Tree
Neolamarckia cadamba

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A large tree up to 15 to 30 m high and 40 to 60 cm across the trunk. It spreads 5-10 m wide. It has stiff spreading branches. It loses its leaves during the year. It can have buttresses. The branches are stiff and spread outwards. The bark is thin and slightly rough and grey to light brown. It is flaky. The bark of old trees is dark, rough and cracked. The leaves are simple, opposite, leather like, dark green above and pale green beneath. They are broad being 20 to 25 cm long and 11 to 15 cm wide. They droop downwards. Young leaves are much larger. The base is rounded and the tip tapering and with a point. The leaf edges are entire and the leaf stalk is robust and 4 to 5 cm long. The leaf like appendage at the base of the leaf stem is slightly flattened and tapering and remains on the twigs. The flowers have both both sexes together and they are numerous. They occur in yellowish round heads 3-4 cm across. These occur singly at the ends of branches. The fruit is made up of the ovaries of several flowers joined together. This multiple fruit is fleshy, round and about 3 to 5 cm across. They are yellow when ripe.

There are 2 Neolamarckia species. Another tree Mitragyna is also called kadamb.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits tropical and subtropical places. It grows in rainforests and along streams. It needs a warm sunny position and a well-drained soil. In Nepal it grows up to 1000 m altitude. They occur in the Philippines in Mindanao, particularly in the provinces of Bukidnon and Cotabato. They are also growing in Makiling Forest, Laguna. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Central America, China, Costa Rica, Fiji, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten with salt or cooked as a vegetable. A spirit drink is distilled from the flowers. Flower heads are eaten raw or pickled. The seeds are roasted and the oil is eaten.

The fruit are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, flower receptacle, seeds - oil

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. The seed are very small. The fruit split and the seeds are spread by wind. Plants can be grown by cuttings of the shoots.

It is fast growing. The trees flower and fruit after 5 years.

Its other names

Local names

Burr-flower Tree, Gao trung hoa, Jabon, Kaatoan-bangkal, Kadam ba, Kadambe, Kelempayan, Kisalo, Kodam, Kwdwm, Kra-thum, Labula, Laran, Leichhardt pine, Mau, Roghu, Thkow

Synonyms

Anthocephalus cadamba (Roxb.) Miq.; Anthocephalus indicus A. Rich.; Anthocephalus morindaefolius Korth.; Nauclea cadamba Roxb.; Nauclea megaphylla S. Moore; Neonauclea megaphylla S. Moore; Samama cadamba (Roxb.) Kuntze; Sarcocephalus cadamba (Roxb.) Kurz.;