Swamp nutmeg tree
Myristica elliptica

Family: Myristicaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows to 35 m high. The trunk is 100 cm across. It usually has deep thick buttresses or stilt roots. The crown has hanging branches. The bark is pale grey and smooth with lenticels. The leaves are papery. They are oval or oblong. They taper at both ends. There are 12-17 pairs of secondary veins. The flowering stalk has few branches and the fruit occur in clusters. The fruit is large and mango shaped. It is smooth and orange-yellow.

There are about 120 Myristica species. They grow in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in permanent and seasonal swamps. It grows up to 500 m above sea level. It can grow in sandy soils and limestone.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand

How it is used for food

The nut is used as flavouring or spice.

Edible parts

Nuts - flavouring, seeds - spice

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kumpang, Kunipang, Mempatoh, Pala hutan, Pianggu, Pohon pala rawa, Pohon sungkit-sungkit, Samban, Sengkit, Sungkit, Supaka'u

Synonyms

Myristica calocarpa Miquel; Myristica macrocarpa Wall.; Myristica sycocarpa Miquel;