Malayan spindle tree
Bhesa paniculata

Family: Centroplacaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grow 35 m tall. The trunk an be 50 cm across. The trunk is fluted at the base. The leaves are arranged in spirals. The flowers can be greenish-yellow or dark purplish-red. The fruit have 2 lobes. They are red. The fruit are 1-2 cm long. There are 2-4 seeds. They are covered with a pink aril or fleshy layer.

Also put in the family Celastraceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in forests and swamp forests. It grows up to 2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Aril, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Asam pau, Biku-biku, Duhat burung, Geneirak, Inkyaw, Kadpala, Kayu Minyak, Pohon kayu serunai, Pohon medang kuning, Rengas, Resak buntung, Ruwas, Sarunai, Semita, Sulang sulang

Synonyms

Kurrimia luzonica Vidal; Kurrimia minor Ridl.; Kurrimia paniculata Wall.; Pyrospermum calophyllum Miq.; Schmidelia conferta Blanco;