Malva nut
Scaphium affine

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A large tree. The crown is rounded. It grows 18-40 m tall. The trunk is straight and 80 cm across. It has buttresses 2 m tall.

Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It often grows along rivers and near swamps. It grows between 700-800 m above sea level. It grows in areas with an average annual rainfall between 1,500-2,500 mm.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Cambodia, Indochina, Laos, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The seeds swell very large and yield a transparent edible gel. A cooling drink is made by soaking the seeds overnight and adding sugar and flavour.

Nuts are exported from Cambodia. Vietnam exports 235 tonnes.

Edible parts

Seeds, fruit

How it is grown

Often the seeds have a hard seed coat that needs to be scratched or cracked to allow water to enter. Seeds germinate best with a temperature of 20-30°C.

One tree can yield 40 kg of nuts. Plants often only flower every 1-3 years.

Its other names

Local names

Lu uoi, Mak jong, Pang da hai, Poontalai, Samraong siphlae

Synonyms

Clompanus affinis (Mast.) Kuntze; Firmiana affinis (Mast.) A. Terracc.; Scaphium beccarianum Pierre; Scaphium lychnophorum (Hance) Pierre; Sterculia affinis Mast.; Sterculia beccariana Pierre; Sterculia lychnophora Hance;