White gutta, Katapong gutta-percha
Palaquium obovatum

Family: Sapotaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows up to 40 m high. The trunk can be 40 cm across. The bark is red brown. The leaves are oval or egg shaped. They are 6-45 cm long by 3-17 cm wide. The flowering stalks have up to 10 flowers. The flowers are The fruit are round berries are 2-3 cm across.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It usually grows in tropical evergreen dense forest. It occurs below 800 m altitude. It can be up to 1,300 m above sea level. It can be on limestone.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Cambodia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The bark contains white latex used for making sweets.

Edible parts

Sap

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Belan wangi, Chay, Cheh wangi, Chok nom, Cot, Daser-chagne, Kathulua, Menyatoh, Nyatoh balam, Nyatoh bunga, Nyatoh wangi, Pinle-byin, Pohon nyatoh katapong, Taban balam kuning, Taban puteh, Wai-to-phang, Xay-dao, Yang kanun nok

Synonyms

Dichopsis krantziana Pierre; Dichopsis obovata (Griff.) C.B.Clarke; Isonandra obovata Griff.; Palaquium krantziana Baill.; and others