Patana Oak, Slow-match tree
Careya arborea

Family: Lecythidaceae

What it is like

A small tree 7-15 m high. It can reach 20 m high. The trunk is low and the crown is dense and round. The bark is dark grey and thick and rough. The leaves are alternate. They do not have stalks. The edges of the leaves have a few teeth. The leaves are broadly oval and 15-20 cm long by 10-12 cm wide. They are leathery. The flowers are white. They are 8 cm across and occur in thick clusters. They look like big bottle brushes. The fruit are green and has sepals which remain. The fruit are urn shaped and 6-7 cm across. They are smooth.

There are about 5 Careya species. The genus was named for Rev Carey of Serampore.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in open forest. They are common in deciduous and semi-evergreen forests all over the Indian plains. It grows up to 1,600 m above sea level. In the Himalayas it grows up to 800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Young shoots are eaten uncooked. The flowers are eaten as a vegetable. The bark or outside root is removed and pounded and ground to make flour for bread. The seeds are eaten roasted. This is presumably to remove poison. The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are also used as a vegetable. They are also pickled. CAUTION. There are some reports the seeds are poisonous.

Mainly used as a famine food.

Edible parts

Shoots, leaves, fruit, root bark, seeds, flower buds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. Seeds germinate in 11-46 days.

In India fruit are produced April to August.

Its other names

Local names

Aalagavvele, Alam, Araya, Ayma, Asanda, Bambwe, Doddaale, Doddala, Duddippa, Garva hannu, Gaula mara, Gonji, Hennu matthi, Hou-no, Kariyal, Kachaddai, Kadon kok, Kadon, Kalikatbai, Kanndaol, Kanndol, Katabhi, Kaulumara, Kaval, Khum, Khumbi, Kimbia, Kok kadon, Kradon, Kum kumari, Kumba bidipata, Kumbha, Kumbher, Kumbhi, Kumbi, Mai-pinngo, Paer, Panibhela, Pelu, Phak kadon kok, Sangawn-gnawt, Sloek raing, Thelawaw, Vakambha

Synonyms

Barringtonia arborea (Roxb.) F. Muell.; Careya orbiculata Miers; Careya sphaerica Roxb.; Careya venenata Oken; Cumbia coneanae Buch.-Ham.;