Shrubby decaspermum, Tailor tree, Polynesian myrtle
Decaspermum fruticosum

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A shrub or slender tree. It can grow 14 m high but is often 2.5 m high. The stems are flattened and hairy. The leaves are simple and opposite. The leaf blade is narrowly oval and 1-4 cm long. They are rounded at the base and have dots over the surface. The leaf stalk is 1-3 mm long. The flowers can be at the ends of branches or in the axils of leaves. Mostly they occur singly but can be in groups of 3. The flowers are pink. The fruit is small and flattened. It is 4-6 mm across and has several seeds. The fruit are black.

There are about 30 Decaspermum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It mostly grows on the edges of forest. In Samoa it occurs between 100-650 m altitude. In Indonesia it grows up to 1,300 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

American Samoa, Asia, Australia, China, Fiji, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Micronesia, Myanmar, Pacific, Palau, Philippines, Samoa, SE Asia, Thailand, Tonga, Wallis & Futuna

How it is used for food

The young shoots are eaten as a seasoning. CAUTION: In large amounts they cause constipation. The black berries are eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, shoots, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Copper wood tree, Dieng-la-phynia, Diengauro-la-pyrno, Ipis kulit, Jerak, Kayu demang, Kelentit kering, Kelentit nyamok, Kelentit padang, Ki tai, Lemuning batu, Mempoyan padang, Nu'anu'a, Padi-padi, Patalsik, Plawng ki kwai, Pohon kayu tembaga, Pokok salah nama, Tembagan, Tipit kulit

Synonyms

Decaspermum paniculatum Kurz.; Nelitris paniculata Lindl.; Nelitris fruticosa (Forst.) A. Gray; Nelitris vitiensis A. Gray; Psidium decaspermum L.f. [Illegitimate];