Mangrove nutmeg, Papua nutmeg tree
Myristica hollrungii

Family: Myristicaceae

What it is like

A large tree up to 40 m tall with a straight trunk and buttress roots. Twigs have 2 raised lines along them between the leaves. The leaf stalk is 3 cm long and 0.3 mm wide. The leaf is 20-35 cm long x 5-13 cm wide. The base of the leaf is rounded and the tip tapers. The midrib and veins are sunken on the top of the leaf and raised underneath. The veins are almost parallel with fine networks between them. The male flower cluster is a woody scar covered knob. The male flowers have stalks 6 mm long. The female flowers are similar to the male flowers but with thicker shorter stalks. The fruit are oval and 3-6 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. Fruits are yellow with a red covered seed inside. The seed is 3 cm long by 1.5 cm wide.

There are about 120 Myristica species. They grow in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. Trees are often just behind the mangrove swamps. They can grow up to 920 m altitude. They grow in the lowland rainforests, by rivers and streams.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indonesia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea (country/location of origin), SE Asia, Solomon Islands

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten.

In Papua New Guinea, a common tree in lowland areas of the mainland and islands but only a minor edible fruit.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Trees grow wild from seed.

Fruiting is seasonal

Its other names

Local names

Pohon pala papua

Synonyms

Myristica heterophylla K. Sch.; Myristica albertisii Warb.; Myristica euryocarpa Warb.;