Rasmala
Altingia excelsa
Family: Altingiaceae
What it is like
A large tree. It grows 60 m high. It has a large straight trunk. The leaves are alternate and simple. They are narrowly oval and 6-12 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. There are fine teeth around the edge. The flowers are of separate sexes on the same tree. The female flowers are as 4-18 rounded heads produced together. They are 1-2.5 cm across. The fruit are brown and are a capsule made up of four compartments.
Also put in the family Hamamelidaceae. The leaves are used for medicine.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows at about 1600 m altitude in Malaysia. In Java it grows between 200-700 m above sea level. It grows in humid forest.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tibet
How it is used for food
The young reddish-brown leaves are eaten raw or cooked as a vegetable.
Edible parts
Leaves, vegetable
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds. Seeds are best sown fresh. They can be grown from stumps.
Its other names
Local names
Chemara abang, Duang, Jutuli, Ki mala, Lamin, Mala, Mandung, Neriyurishippal, Pohon rasmala, Rasamala, Rasmala, Shilaras, Shilarasamu, Silaras