Lima xanthophyllum tree
Xanthophyllum vitellinum

Family: Polygalaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows to 35 m high. The trunk can be 66 cm across. The leaves are oblong or oval and they taper to the tip. They are 7-35 cm long by 3-11 cm wide. The midrib is raised above. There are 6-11 pairs of secondary veins. These form a vein around the leaf edge. The flowers can be white to dark yellow. The fruit is round and light brown or reddish brown. It is 1.8 cm across.

Also put in the Xanthophyllaceae family.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in open and swamp forests up to 1,000 m above sea level. It is often on alluvial sites and along rivers but can be on hillsides. It grows on sandy and clay soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

It yields an edible oil.

Edible parts

Oil

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Minyak berok, Nyalin, Pohon santopila lima

Synonyms

Banisterodes longifolia (Blume) O.K.; Banisterodes vitellinum (Blume) O.K.; Jakkia longifolia Blume; Jakkia vitellina Blume; Monnina longifolia (Blume) Sprengel; Monnina macrophylla Steudel; Monnina vitellina (Blume) Sprengel; Xanthophyllum curtisii King; Xanthophyllum griffithii var. curtisii (King) Ng; Xanthophyllum hookerianum King; Xanthophyllum kunstleri King; Xanthophyllum longifolium (Blume) Dietr.; Xanthophyllum paniculatum Miq.; Xanthophyllum robustum Chodat; Xanthophyllum robustum var. elmeri Chodat;