Macaranga denticulata

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 18 m tall. The trunk has shield shape leaf scars. The twigs are angled. The leaves are simple and alternate. They have red-brown hairs underneath. There are many flowers in a group. The male and female flowers are on different trees. The fruit are 8 mm long. They are capsules that split open in 2 sections. They are 2 seeds with a thin orange aril or fleshy layer around them.

It has medicinal uses. The tree is used to enrich nutrients in paddy field fallows.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in secondary forest. In southern China it grows between 100-1,300 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit ?

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Laja lahkran, Malato, Ngapi-bet, Nwong-kye, Pada-nge, Pethla, Pet-waing, Phet-wun, Tong taeb

Synonyms

Macaranga chatiniana (Baill.) Mull.Arg.; Mappa denticulata Blume; and several others