Perah tree, Tapos
Elateriospermum tapos

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A straight tree. It grows up to 27 m tall. It has medium brown flaky bark. The trunk is 35 cm. across. The leaves are oblong and 15 cm long by 5 cm wide. It has a narrow tip. Young leaves are red. The flowers are at the ends of branches. They are 17 cm long. Male flowers are 2 mm across and female flowers are 5 mm across. They are cream and have a strong smell. The fruit are oblong and 5-6.3 cm long. The fruit grow in clusters of three. The fruit are green becoming dull brown. Older fruit compared to rubber fruit. The ripe fruit are edible. The seeds are 5 cm long.

Wood used to make posts and build houses.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits the hot humid tropical lowlands. It grows from sea level to 600 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Brunei, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten after the fruit has been roasted and shelled. They are sometimes pickled. Seeds are also fermented and eaten. The seeds are never eaten raw probably due to hydrocyanic acid (HCN). CAUTION: They can cause dizziness if eaten in large amounts.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seed. The seed are 5 cm long.

Its other names

Local names

Buah perah, Dungku, Gua pra, Kedui, Kelampai, Perah kokong, Perah, Piah, Ple prah, Pra, Tapos, Tapuih

Synonyms

Elateriospermum rhizophorum Boerl. & Koord.;