Trevesia sundaica

Family: Araliaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It is crooked and low. It only has a few branches. It grows 3-10 m high. The stem has prickles. The leaves are alternate and crowded at the ends of branches. They have long leaf stalks. The leaves vary in shape and are deeply lobed like fingers on a hand. They are dark green and shiny above and pale green underneath. Young leaves have rusty hairs. The leaves are 25-75 cm across and have 7-13 segments. The flowers are in the axils of leaves. The flowering stalks can be 30-100 cm long. They have rusty hairs. The fruit are partly flattened and 1-1.5 cm across. The seeds are tight compressed.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Java it grows from sea level up to 2,000 m above sea level. It grows in evergreen forests especially in valleys.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indonesia, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The flowers are boiled and eaten. They are bitter and have a smell. The young leaves are eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. It can be grown from cuttings. It can be used for hedges. It needs a fertile soil rich in humus. A spacing of 2 m is suitable.

Its other names

Local names

Borang, Gaboos, Gorang, Panggang, Panggangtjootjook

Synonyms

Actinophyllum palmatum Blume ex Boerl. [Invalid]; Aralia palmata Hibberd [Illegitimate]; Aralia reinwardtiana Steud. ex Seem. [Invalid]; Brassaia palmata (Blume) Decne. & Planch.; Gastonia sundaica (Miq.) Baill.; Sciodaphyllum palmatum Blume; Trevesia sundaica var. glomerata Koord. & Valeton;