Lac tree, Ceylon oak
Schleichera oleosa

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A tree 15-25 m tall. It keeps its leaves most of the year. The bark is grey and flaky. The bark is reddish brown inside. The leaves have stalks and are divided into leaflets along the stalk. The leaflets are in 2-4 pairs. They have short leaflets. They are 6-26 cm long by 3-9 cm wide. They are oblong. New leaves are reddish. The flowers have short stalks. They are yellowish. They occur in side stalks with equal stalk length flowers along it. These appear with new purple leaves. Flowers can be male or of both sexes. The fruit is oval and green when ripe. They are 2 cm long and 1.5 cm across. The fruit have blunt prickles. There are 1-2 oily seeds.

There is only one Schleichera species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits moist tropical regions. It grows in wet dense forests. In Nepal it grows up to 300 m altitude. In India they occur all over the country in mixed deciduous forests. In Indonesia it grows up to 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, East Timor, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeasten India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, West Africa, West Timor

How it is used for food

The fruit arillus is used to make some dishes acid. Seed oil is used for cooking. It needs to be carefully refined. It is then edible. The ripe fruit are eaten raw. Young fruit are pickled. The seeds are eaten raw or cooked. The young leaves and shoots are eaten raw. They are also used in soups or steamed and served with rice or fish.

The fruit are often sold in markets. It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit, seeds-oil, seeds, flower buds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed should be sown fresh. Seedlings do not transplant well. They can also be grown using root suckers.

Plants grow slowly. In India fruit are available May to July. Fruit can be stored for 4-5 days.

Its other names

Local names

Ai-dak, Bak kawe, Baro, Baru, Botanga, Busi, Chendala, Gausam, Gyo, Jamoa, Jendala chakota, Joyna, Kaitxava, Karanchi, Khor, Kodalipulusa, Kohan, Kojub, Kok khosom, Kolama, Kon, Konji, Koon, Koosambi, Kosab, Kosam, Kosano, Koshimb, Kosum, Kosumb, Kosumba, Kula, Kusambi, Kusamo, Kussum, Kusum, Kusuma, Kusumb, Luk kawe, Maak kawe, Macassar oiltree, Madaka-pulusu, Mai-hkao, Mai-kyang, Mak ko som, Malay lactree, Mavita-vitiki, Peduman, Pong roa, Pongro, Pongror, Poovam, Poovanam, Poovathi, Posuku, Pulachi, Pulipoocha, Pulusura-marajati, Pumaratha, Pusku, Puvam, Puvathipuvam, Puvu, Raj-kusumo, Rusam, Sagade kendala, Sagade-pusuku, Sama, Swad, Swad kusum, Ta takror, Ta tok, Thakabti, Tomroos, Yun-ha

Synonyms

Pistacia oleosa Lour.; Schleichera trijuga Willd. & Klein;