Maple-leafed bayur, Maple twist
Pterospermum acerifolium

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A large evergreen tree. It grows to 30 m high. The branches are thick and reach upwards. The leaves are deep green and have lobes like fingers on a hand. The leaves are 35 cm long. They are velvety when young and unfurl. They are silvery white underneath. The flowers are white and showy. They are trumpet shaped. They have silky petals and stamens. The sepals are long and velvety. The flowers have a sweet scent. The fruit is a capsule 15 cm across. It is woody. It has 5 angles and has many seeds. The seeds have wings.

There are 25 (40) Pterospermum species. The flowers are used in medicine. Also put in the family Pentapetaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native from India to Indonesia. It grows in humid lowland forests and near swamps. It grows in the Himalayan foothills. It can grow up to 1,200 m altitude. It has some salt tolerance. The soil needs to be fertile and retain moisture. It suits hardiness zones 8-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The flowers have a sharp bitter, acrid taste. They make water slimy. They are boiled and eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Flowers

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed or by cuttings or layering. The flowers are pollinated by bats. The tree can be cut back and allowed to regrow. It produces suckers. It can be grown from these.

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Dieng-khong-swet, Dieng-tharo-masi, Hathipalia, Hatipeala, Hatti-paila, Kanakchampa, Kanako champa, Kaniar, Karnikara, Katha-champa, Longman la-phong, Magwinapa, Matsa kanda, Mayeng, Moragos, Morra, Muchkund, Muskunda, Numbong, See-em-kung, Sik-sil, Sinna, Taung-phet-wun, Taw-kalamet, Waisap-thing

Synonyms

Cavanilla acerifolia (L.) J. F. Gmel.; Dombeya acerifolia (L.) Gaertn.; Pentapetes acerifolia Linn.; Pterospermadendron acerifolium (L.) Kuntze; Pterospermum aceroides Wall.; ?