Mamina tree
Pimelodendron amboinicum

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows to 10-20 m high. It spreads 5-15 m across. The trunk is 50 cm across. The sap is milky. It hardens and turns bright yellow. The bark is smooth and light brown. It is 0.8 cm thick. The leaf stalks have 2 prominent swollen glands neat the leaf end. The leaves are alternate. The leaves are 8-15 cm long by 6-12 cm wide. They are oval and crowded towards the ends of the small branches. The edges of the leaves are slightly wavy. The leaves are dark green and they taper to the tip. The flowers are in groups which are 2-5 cm long. They occur in clusters in the axils of leaves or from the old wood. The flowers are yellow and 0.3 cm across. The flowers are of one sex and without petals. The fruit are 1.5-2 cm across. They are round or pear shaped and pink or red. There is one large seed.

There are 5-8 Pimeleodendron species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in lowland rainforests. In Papua New Guinea it grows up to 800 m altitude. It can be near rivers and on the edge of swamp forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Solomon Islands

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten and taste like hazel nuts.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from fresh seed.

Its other names

Local names

Pamum, Pohon daso-daso, Pohon mamina, Pokopoker

Synonyms

Daphniphyllum amboinicum Hassk.; Pimelodendron papuanum Warb.;