Tambuakat treem
Paranephelium xestophyllum

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows up to 40 m high. The trunk can be 75 cm across. It often has stilt roots up to 60 cm long. There can be buttresses 70 cm high. The twigs have small hairs. The leaves have 1-6 leaflets on each side of the stalk. The leaflets are opposite. They are oval can taper to the tip or be rounded. They taper to the base. Leaves are 3-42 cm long by 1.1-14 cm wide. The flowering clusters are usually on the branches. They are 2-30 cm long and hairy. The fruit are 7 cm across. They have 2-3 lobes.

Lamp oil can be extracted from the seed.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is an under-storey tree in forests. It grows from sea level to 1,100 m above sea level. It grows on sandy soils and also on limestone.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Brunei, China, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The seeds can be baked or boiled for eating.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Fruiting is seasonal.

Its other names

Local names

Daungkhreng, Kachang-kachang, Pohon tambuakat, Tambuakat, Thawka-apo, Tombuakat

Synonyms

Mildea gibbosa (Teijsm. & Binn.) Miq.; Mildea xystophyllum Miq.; Nephelium forbesii Baker; Paranephelium acanthocarpum Radlk. ex Koord.; Paranephelium gibbosum Teijsm. & Binn.; Paranephelium nitidum King; Pometia forbesii Baker;