Pili nut, Philippine nut
Canarium ovatum

Family: Burseraceae

What it is like

A medium sized evergreen tree. It grows up to 20 m high. The trunk can be 50 cm across. The small branches are 6-12 mm thick. The vascular bands in the branches are as separate rings like in roots. The leafy structures (stipules) are about 6 mm from the base of the leaf stalk. They are 5-20 mm long by 3-10 mm wide and triangular in shape. The leaves are alternate and with 2-4 pairs of leaflets borne oppositely. The leaflets are smooth and rounded at the base with a pointed tip. They are 4-24 cm long by 2-12 cm wide and stiff and leathery. There are 8-12 pairs of veins which are fairly straight until they curve near the leaf edge. The flower clusters occur in the axils of leaves near the ends of branches. They are 3-12 cm long and with few flowers. The flowers are greenish and with an aroma. The fruit clusters are 3-9 cm long with one or two fruit. The fruit are oval but triangular in cross section. They are 4-6 cm long by 2-3 cm across. There is one seed inside the triangular shell.

There are 80-95 Canarium species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits the hot humid lowland tropics. Common in southern Luzon, Bicol regions and in primary forest at low and medium altitudes and also in Polillo, Samar, Leyte and Surigao in the Philippines. They occur from sea level up to 500 m in the Philippines. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Brazil, Hawaii, Indonesia, Malaysia, Micronesia, Pacific, Palau, Philippines (country/location of origin), Pohnpei, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South America, Timor-Leste, West Indies

How it is used for food

The kernels of the nuts are eaten raw or roasted. They can upset the stomach when raw. They can also be used to produce an oil that is used in cooking. The pulp of the fruit is boiled and eaten. They are also pickled. The young shoots are eaten in salads.

It is a popular nut. It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Seeds kernel, nuts, shoots

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Flowering occurs from May to July and fruit from October to December. A tree can produce 32 kg of nuts per year. This is about 10,000 nuts each year.

Its other names

Local names

Noz-pili

Synonyms

Canarium melioides Elmer; Canarium pachyphyllum Perkins;