Pete, Bitter bean tree
Parkia speciosa

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. It can grow 35-45 m high. It can spread 8-15 m wide. The trunk can be 1 m across. It can have buttresses. The leaves occur alternately along the stalk. The leaf and leaf stalk can be 21-40 cm long. There is a single gland on the leaf stalk about half way between the base and the first pair of leaflets. It is about 1-3 cm from the base. There are also small circular lands near the last leaflets. There are 11-20 or 25 pairs of leaflets. These are 5-10 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. The edges of nearby leaflets overlap. The tip of the leaflet is rounded and the base is expanded around the stem on one side. The flower stalks are 7-57 cm long and hang down on the tree. On the end of these are 4-10 flowers crowded together and then pods develop. Flowers contain both sexes. The pods are strap shaped and usually twisted. The pods are swollen over the seeds and constricted between the seeds. The pods are 20-40 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. There are about 18 seeds per pod. They lie across the width of the pod. They are up to 23 mm long. They have a strong smell. The seed coat is soft and green.

Also as Mimosaceae. The seeds are high in folates. Fruit are high in folates 100μg/100.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to SE Asia. They grow in lowland rainforest. It suits a humid climate. They are mostly between sea level and 900 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, Philippines, Sarawak, SE Asia, Singapore, Thailand, USA

How it is used for food

The seeds are used as flavouring stews. Dried seeds are peeled and fried in oil. Young pods are eaten cooked as a vegetable. They are eaten with poultry, fish or stir-fried vegetable dishes. Young seeds can be eaten pickled, raw or cooked. They are roasted, boiled or added to soups. Young leaves are also eaten raw. They are packed in brine. The receptacle around the flowers is cut into slices and eaten raw.

Popular and common in Indonesia and Malaysia as a cultivated tree and market food.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves, pods, fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds.

Trees first flower when about 15 m high.

Its other names

Local names

Betar, Chou dou,Cong dou, Nejire-fusamame, Nitta tree, Nyiring, Patag, Patai, Petah, Petai, Pete, Peteh, Peuteuy, Pohon petai, Sataw, Sato, Sator dan, Sator kow, Sindutan, U'pang

Synonyms

Inga pyriformis Jungh.; Mimosa pedunculata Hunter; Parkia biglobosa auct. non (Jacq.) R. Br.; Parkia harbesonii Elmer; Parka macrocarpa Miq.;