Melochia umbellata

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 10 m high. The leaves are 22 cm long. The leaves are hairy underneath. The flowers are pink.

There are about 55 Melochia species. They grow in the tropics. Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in hot places. It grows along the edges of lowland evergreen forests.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Australia, Christmas Island, East Indies, East Timor, India, Indochina, Laos, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leaves are mixed with coconut oil cake and maize bran and made into a fermented food.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

It grows very fast.

Its other names

Local names

Al-abada, Betenook, Boosi, Chapak, Endilau binchil, Jubut, Lesnu, Meloch, Methuri, Pilaw-bin, Sa dam, Senu, Singa, Tampu, Tangkal bintenu, Trungcua rung, Wesnu

Synonyms

Melochia arborea Blco; Melochia velutina Bedd.; Visenia tomentosa Miq.; Visenia umbellata Houtt.;