Parkia leiophylla
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A tree. It grows 35 m high. It loses its leaves during the year. The bark is red brown. It has small buttresses. The leaves are 30-60 cm long. They are twice divided. There are 14-20 pairs of side branches. The larger ones can have 30-45 pairs of leaflets. These are 1,5 mm long by 4 mm wide. They are pointed at both ends. The flowers are creamy white. They are in round heads on long stalks. These are 30-40 cm long. The fruit are strap shaped and 30-45 cm long. They are clumped together on a lumpy swelling. They are bright green when young but turn black and shiny when mature. The seeds are arranged horizontally across the pod. The pod splits open but does not curl back.
Also as Mimosaceae.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in dry evergreen and mixed deciduous forests between 500-600 m above sea level. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Bangladesh, China, Indochina, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Seeds - spice, vegetable
How it is grown
In China plants flower in March and fruit September to November.
Its other names
Local names
Se kwi mae, Thet-magyi, Thit-tawt