Leichhardt tree, Canary Cheesewood
Nauclea orientalis

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A medium sized evergreen tree. It grows to 10-25 m high and spreads to 3-12 m wide. The stem is erect and branching. The branches are almost horizontal. The bark is brown and flaky with cracks along it. The leaves are produced opposite one another. They are oval and taper to a point. The tip is blunt. The base is rounded. They are 15-38 cm long by 20 cm across. There are 12 pairs of side veins which curve along the edge of the leaf. They have large leafy stipules at the base of the leaf stalk. The flowers are slender and like tubes. The flower clusters are produced at the ends of branches. The fruit are fused into round masses. They are 2-4 cm across. They are fleshy. The seeds are very small. They are 1.5 mm long by 1 mm wide.

The trees are used for making canoes. Fruit are high in Vitamin C. It has anticancer properties.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in warm temperate regions. It can grow in the tropics and subtropics. It does best in well-composted, well-drained soil. It needs an open sunny position. It is damaged by drought and frost. It can stand light frost. It is often along the edges of streams and swamps. It can tolerate occasional flooding. In Borneo it grows up to 100 m above sea level. In Indonesia it grows to 1,400 m above sea level. In Townsville palmetum. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Fiji, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia (country/location of origin), Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten. They are bitter. They have a strong smell and bitter, soft pulp. The young leaves are steamed and eaten with rice.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from fresh seed. They germinate in 2-4 weeks.

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Bulala, Gempol, Jampa, Kanluang, Kayu mas, Klepu pasir, Kolpo, Lanpayan, Ma-u, Ma-u-gyi, Ma-u-kadon, Nukli, Pohon bengkal, Prung, Tum kham

Synonyms

Bancalus grandifolius (DC) O.K.; Bancalus orientalis (L.) O.K.; Cadamba nocturna Ham. ex Hensch.; Cephalanthus foliis oppositis L.; Cephalanthus orientalis L.; Nauclea annamensis (Dub. & Eberh.) Merr.; Nauclea coadunata Roxb. ex J. E. Smith; Nauclea cordata Roxb.; Nauclea elmeri Merr.; Nauclea glaberrima Bartl.; Nauclea grandifolia DC; Nauclea leichhardtii F.v. M.; Nauclea lutea Blanco; Nauclea macrophylla Blume; Nauclea minahassae Koord.-Schum.; Nauclea roxburghii G. Don.; Nauclea stipulacea Wall.; Nauclea undulata Roxb.; Nauclea wallichiana R. Br.; Platanocarpum cordatum (Roxb.) Korth.; Sarcocephalus annamensis Dub. & Eberh.; Sarcocephalus buruensis Miq.; Sarcocephalus coadunatus (Roxb. ex J. E. Smith) Druce; Sarcocephalus cordatus (Roxb.) Miq.; Sarcocephalus cordatus var. mollis Koord. & Valet.; Sarcocephalus glaberrimus (Bartl.) Miq.; Sarcocephalus macrocephalus K. Schum.; Sarcocephalus orientalis (L.) Merr.; Sarcocephalus ovatus Elmer; Sarcocephalus papagola Domin.; Sarcocephalus undulatus (Roxb.) Miq.; Sarcocephalus undulatus var. buruensis (Miq.) Havil.;