Kubili nut
Cubilia cubili

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It grows up to 25-50 m high. The trunk is 75 cm across. There are buttresses 6 m high. The bark is smooth and reddish-brown. The leaves are compound with large leaflets which are smooth and pointed at both ends. There are 3-5 pairs of leaflets. The leaflets taper to the tip and are rounded at the base. They are 10-15 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. They can be both larger and smaller. The flowers are small and borne on rather large flower arrangements. These are 30 cm long. The flowers are orange-brown. The fruit are oval and about 5 cm long. The fruit have lobes. These are 3-4 cm long by 2-2.5 cm wide. They are covered with very many pointed projections giving a warty appearance.

There is only one Cubilia species. The seeds are 5.2% protein, 1.92% fat, 23.13% starch, and 18.83% carbohydrates.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They occur from Luzon to Mindanao in primary forests at low altitudes in the Philippines. In Indonesia it grows up to 600 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The seeds or nuts are eaten raw or cooked. They are boiled or roasted. The false aril or seed layer is eaten. The leaves are used as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Aril, seeds, nuts, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Amasi, Bak-sian, Kamesi raindang, Pohon saninten sabrang

Synonyms

Euphoria cubili Blanco; nom. illeg.; Cubilia blancoi Blume;