Mbau
Palaquium vitilevuense
Family: Sapotaceae
What it is like
A slender tree. It grows 6-24 m tall. The trunk is straight and the crown is dense. The bark when cut releases a white latex. The leaves vary in size and hairiness. The leaves are 10-20 cm long by 4-10 cm wide. The flowers are small and in groups amongst the leaves. The fruit are small and oblong.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows at about 120-300 m above sea level. It occurs on Viti Levu.
Countries/locations it is found in
Fiji, Pacific
How it is used for food
The latex is used as chewing gum.
Edible parts
Gum
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Bau, Bauvudi