Putat tree
Planchonia valida

Family: Lecythidaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows to 56 m tall. The trunk can be 1.2 m across. The leaves are alternate and simple. They have teeth along the edge. The flowers are 4 cm across. They are pink to red. There are many protruding stamens. The flowers are in short groups. The fruit are about 6 cm long. They are green and fleshy. There are several seeds.

There are about 14 Plachonia species. They grow in the Asian tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in rainforest up to 300 m above sea level. It can be along rivers on on ridges. In Java it can be up to 1,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andaman Islands, Asia, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Guinea, SE Asia, Timor-Leste

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten with rice.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Baila da, Kasui, Kayu putat, Lal bombway, Pohon putat, Pohon talisei, Putat, Putat gajah, Putat paya, Selangan kangkong, Talisei, Telisei, Talisai bukit, Talisai sugud

Synonyms

Gustavia valida (Blume) DC.; Pirigara valida Blume; Planchonia alata Blume; Planchonia andamanica King; Planchonia elliptica Miers; Planchonia forbesii Knuth; Planchonia littoralis Blume; Planchonia littoralis van Houtte; Planchonia sumatrana Blume; Planchonia sundaica Miq.; Planchonia undulata Teijsm. & Binn.;