White kelat, Indonesian bay
Syzygium polyanthum

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A tall tree. It grows 10-35 m tall. The trunk is straight and 60 cm across. The bark is grey with cracks along the length. The small young branches are slender and pink. The older woody twigs are greyish brown. The leaves are large, oval, dark green and shiny. The leaves grow opposite each other along the branch. The leaves taper towards the base. They are thinly leathery. They are about 10-16 cm long by 2-7 cm wide. They are broadest in the middle. There are 7-8 pairs of side veins which join near the leaf edge. The flower clusters develop where leaves have fallen off. Three flowers are grouped together. The flowering clusters occur below the leaves. Sometimes they are in the axils of leaves. They are 10 cm long. The flower stalk is 2-10 mm long. The fruit is about 1 cm across. The fruit ripen to pink or red or purple. The fruit is dark purple when ripe. There is one seed inside. The tip has a ring of enlarged calyx lobes. Young leaves are aromatic due to the presence of volatile oils.

The bark, roots and the leaves are used to relieve itchiness by the Malays.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in lowland forests. In Indonesia it grows up to 1,300 m altitude. It occurs in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. It grows in secondary forests. It needs good sunlight. It can tolerate drought. Because the fruit are eaten by animals, natural regeneration does not always occur well.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pacific, Philippines, Sarawak, SE Asia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leaves are used to flavour cooked dishes. One leaf is used. (It has a role a little like curry leaf. ) The young leaves are commonly used as food. Pieces of meat can be boiled with the leaves and eaten together. They are used to flavour sauces, soups, cookies and vegetable dishes. The ripe fruit is eaten.

A popular herb in Indonesia. The ripe fruit are eaten by children.

Edible parts

Leaves as condiment, spice, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds, cuttings or air-layering. Seeds need to be sown fresh. A spacing of 6 m is suitable. Plants can be cut back and regrow.

The younger paler leaves at the ends of stems are harvested. Fruit are produced year round. It fruits prolifically. Flowering in the northern hemisphere is October to March and fruiting from October to April a year later. Flowering and fruiting season varies.

Its other names

Local names

Bungkang, Daun salam, Deng ma, Jambu hutan, Kelat merah, Kelat puteh, Kelat salam, Kelat samak, Laurel leaf, Mak, Malaga, Mantang, Manting, Mathaka, Pe, Pohon daun salam, Pokok palong, Pring sratoab, Salam leaf, Samak, San thuyen, Serai kayu, Ubar serai, Ubo serai

Synonyms

Eugenia holmanii Elmer; Eugenia junghuhniana Miq.; Eugenia lambii Elmer; Eugenia lucidula Miq.; Eugenia microbotrya Miq.; Eugenia pamatensis Miq.; Eugenia polyantha Wight; Eugenia resinosa Gagnep.; Syzygium micranthum Blume ex Miq.; Syzygium microbotryum (Miq.) Masam.; Syzygium pamatense (Miq.) Masam.; Syzygium polyanthum (Wight) Masam.;