Termite tree, Scaly Ash, Daintree hickory
Ganophyllum falcatum
Family: Sapindaceae
What it is like
A medium sized tree. It grows 10-25 m high. It has a dense spreading crown. The young branches secrete resin and are scaly. The bark is smooth, light grey and slightly flaky. The leaves are alternate, smooth and divided along their length. The whole leaf is 15-35 cm long divided into 5-10-20 alternate leaflets. The leaflets are 3-10 cm long by 1.5-5 cm wide. The leaflets are curved and are not the same shape on either side of the midrib. They are shiny dark green on top and paler underneath. The leaflets have a pointed tip. The leaf stalk is 4.5-6.5 cm long. The flowers are very small and greenish-white. They are 0.2-0.5 cm across and many flowers occur together in a large panicle which is 10-30 cm long. These are produced in the axils of the upper leaves. Male and female flowers occur on separate branches. The fruit is smooth and oval and fleshy. It has one stone inside. The fruit is 1-1.5 cm long by 0.6-0.8 cm wide. It is orange red when ripe with a pointed tip. There are one or two seeds inside. The seeds are 8 mm long by 12 mm wide.
There are 2 Ganophyllum species.
Where it is found
A tropical and subtropical plant. Trees grow naturally in coastal monsoon vine forest. They are often on coastal sand dunes and near freshwater streams. Plants need to be in well drained soil. It needs plenty of moisture. Plants are sensitive to cold. In Indonesia is grow in forests up to 1200 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Andamans, Asia, Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nicobar, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, West Africa
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten raw. (It is the layer around the seed - or aril, which is eaten)
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed. The seed should be sown while fresh. They are best if soaked for 24 hours.
Plants can be fast growing. In Australia, trees flower from October to January and fruit occur from December to February. (Plants flower at the beginning of the wet season.)
Its other names
Local names
Pohon kayu madu, Pohon mangir