Laosian nayur tree, Lao pterospermum tree
Pterospermum semisagittatum

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 15-25 m tall. The bark is brown and slightly flaky. The leaves are alternate. The leaves have lobes at the base partly clasping the stalk. They are hairy underneath. There are teeth along the edge in the upper half. The flowers occur singly in the axils of leaves. The fruit are capsules 6-8 cm long. It is woody and splits into 5 sections. There are many oval seeds.

The bark is chewed as a masticatory. Also put in the family Pentapetaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangadesh, Cambodia, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The bark is chewed with betel leaf replacing betel nut.

Edible parts

Bark - masticatory

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

The tree is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Longman la-lech, Mai-ham-hpan, Mukau, Nagye, Ngaba nahk, Nwa-labyin, Pohon bayur laosian, Top-la

Synonyms

Eriolaena roxburghii Spreng.;