Quassia indica

Family: Simaroubaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 21 m tall. The trunk is 39 cm across. The leaves are alternate and simple. The flowers are yellow to red and about 5 cm across. They are in small heads. The fruit are 6 cm long and purple-red. They are flattened and fleshy with one stone and 1-4 seeds inside. It has a thin wing.

The fruit and seeds are used as medicine. Mentioned as "Aela" in Tok Pisin = Tahitian chestnut " Inocarpus ?" Also as La kilipa in West Nakanai.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tidal swamps. It occurs up to 200 m above sea level. It can be on sandy soils or limestone.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Polynesia, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The seeds cause vomiting and diarrhoea.

Edible parts

Seeds, caution

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cheskeam, Gatep pait, Humbi, Kacang-kacang, Kayu pait, Kelepis, Kepait, Ioph, Manuggal, Peng, Rapus

Synonyms

Samadera indica Gaertn.; Samadera madagascariensis A. Juss.; and Flora Malesiana has many others