The Philippine star tree
Terminalia microcarpa
Family: Combretaceae
What it is like
A large tree. It grows 12-30 m high. The trunk can be 1 m across. The branches spread widely. It can have buttresses 4 m tall. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are bunched near the ends of the twigs. The leaves are smooth and pointed at both ends. They are 6-15 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. The flowers are yellowish white, on slender flower stalks which grow from the axils of leaves. The fruit are about 3 cm across, smooth, dark red and fleshy.
There are about 200-250 Terminalia species. They are tropical. There are 3 Terminalia microcarpa species with different authorities and unresolved.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows naturally in monsoon vine forests. Very common and widely distributed in the forests throughout the islands of the Philippines. It grows up to 1,350 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines (country/location of origin), SE Asia, Timor-Leste
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten raw when ripe or made into jam. There is little flesh but it is very sweet. They are also boiled and cooked with sugar.
Edible parts
Kernels, fruit, nuts
How it is grown
Plants can be grown by seeds or grafting.
The fruit are generally collected from the ground.
Its other names
Local names
Alupi, Alutek, Ambobok, Ambobonat, Ganurru, Kalumpit, Kalupi, Kalusit, Pohon ketapang selumpi, Pohon kunyit-kunyit