Marbles mangrove tree
Shirakiopsis indica

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 30 m high. The trunk can be 40 cm across. There are spines and buttresses near the base. The leaves are alternate and simple. There are teeth along the edge. The leaves are oval and 7-14 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. The flowers are 1.5 mm across and green. The fruit is almost round and 2-3 cm across. They are green. The seeds are 11-13 mm long by 7-9 mm wide.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows along rivers and seashores. It can grow in waterlogged soils. It grows from sea level to 75 m altitude. It can be in mangrove forests and swampy areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Brunei, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The seeds are edible but the fruit is toxic. The seed can be eaten. CAUTION: The latex of the fruit wall will burn the skin.

Edible parts

Seeds, caution, seeds - oil

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. Seeds take about one year to germinate.

Its other names

Local names

Apir-apir, Gayan, Gurah, Guring, Kenuan, Krahut, Kurah, Niug-niug, Pohon apid-apid, Pohon gurah, Rahuan

Synonyms

Excoecaria diversifolia (Miq.) Mull. Arg.; Excoecaria indica (Willd.) Mull. Arg.; Sapium bingiricum Roxb. ex Baill.; Sapium bingyricum Roxb. ex Baill.; Sapium diversifolium (Miq.) Boerl.; Sapium hurmais Buch.-Ham.; Sapium indicum Willd.; Shirakia indica (Willd.) Hurus; Stillingia bingyrica Baill.[Invalid]; Stillingia diversifolia Miq.; Stillingia indica (Willd.) Oken;