Makaa tree
Bridelia ovata

Family: Phyllanthaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 2.5-10 m high. It has many stems. The leaves are small and oval. They are 3-8 cm wide by 8-12 cm long. The flowers are small and white with yellow centres. They lie along the stem. They have a sweet scent. The fruit are small and green but turn black when ripe. There is one seed in each fruit.

There are about 60 Bridelia species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows on sand dunes and in open forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand, Timor-Leste

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Pnektrey, Pohon congcong behut, Seik-che, Seik-che-phalan

Synonyms

Bridelia burmanica Hook.f.; Bridelia kurzii Hook.f.; Bridelia lanceolata Kurz ex Teijsm. & Binn.; Bridelia ovata var. acutifolia Mull.Arg.; Bridelia pedicellata Ridl.; Cleistanthus lanceolatus (Kurz. ex Teijsm. & Binn.) Mull.Arg.;