Mojowontu, Lunan nut
Lepisanthes fruticosa

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 2-10 m high. The trunk is 2-15 cm across. It can occasionally be a creeper. The bark is grey brown and smooth. The leaves are alternate and compound. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk with one at the end. The flowers are yellow to red and are 6 mm across. They are in groups. The fruit are light red or pink and black if ripe. It is 4 cm across. Fruit and young leaves are eaten.

There are 24-40 Lepisanthes species. They are mostly in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in open places in primary and secondary forest. It can be along rivers and in swamps. It grows from sea level to about 600 m altitude. It can be up to 1,400 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Brunei, Cambodia, Cuba, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The seeds are roasted and eaten. The aril of the ripe fruit is eaten.

It is sometimes cultivated as a fruit tree.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, seeds, nuts

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds and cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Ara, Balinaunau, Balinawnaw, Buli-buli, Ceri terengganu, Chammaliang, Demicir, Hwad khaaz, Kandak, Kilinga, Kwad khaaz, Linaunau, Mathao, Palingsan bukit, Phumriang, Rambutan biabak, Setengok, Talikasan

Synonyms

Capura fruticosa (Roxb.) Vidal; Koelreuteria edulis Blanco; Otolepis erythrocalyx (Hiern) Kuntze; Otolepis fruticosa (Roxb.) Kuntze; Otolepis sessilis King; Otophora acuminata Radlk.; Otophora blancoi Blume; Otophora cambodiana Pierre; Otophora erythrocalyx Hiern.; Otophora fruticosa Blume; Otophora glandulosa Radlk.; Otophora latifolia Ridl.; Otophora resecta Radlk.; Sapindus baccata Blanco; Sapindus fruticosa Roxb.;