Meliosma pinnata
Family: Sabiaceae
What it is like
A tree. It grows 10m to 42 m high. The trunk is 75 cm across. The leaves can be 60 cm long. This includes a leaf stalk 15-25 cm long. There are 3-7 pairs of leaflets. They are oblong to sword shaped. They are usually larger towards the tip. They are 20 cm long by 6 cm wide. There are 3-15 pairs of secondary veins. The flowering cluster is at the end of the branch. These are erect and 10-70 cm long. The fruit is round and hairy. It is 3-11 mm across. It is red.
There are 25 Meliosma species. They occur in SE Asia and South America. They are also put in the Meliosmaceae family.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It is often near riverbanks. In Tibet it grows in evergreen broad-leaved forests between 1,000-1,500 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Guinea, Northeastern India, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet
How it is used for food
The young leaves are cooked and eaten with fish.
Edible parts
Leaves, fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Adalia, Banpasola, Bativa, Bon pachala, Buang-thei, Dermi esing, Dieng-soh-naior, Hengunia, Mamoi, Pet-kanan, Pohon gempong, Shengunia, Tuairam