White rukem tree
Scolopia spinosa

Family: Salicaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows to 10-15 m high. Occasionally it grows to 27 m high or can be a shrub 6 m tall. The trunk becomes grey, smooth and unarmed but young plants have branched spines. The leaves are broadly wedge shaped. They are rose-red coloured when young. They are 8-18 cm long by 3.5-8 cm wide. They have slight indentations around the edge. The flower cluster is 2-5 cm long with white flowers. The fruit is a berry 1.5-2.5 cm long with a small tip at the end. The fruit is green or purple. It contains 6 or up to 20 bitter seeds.

Also put in the Flacourtiaceae family.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in secondary rainforest often on limestone soils. It occurs up to 1,100 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Cambodia, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Flowers are produced throughout the year.

Its other names

Local names

Bom gai, Krakhob prei, Pohon rukem putih

Synonyms

Ludia spinosa Roxb.; Phoberos roxburghii Benn.; Scolopia roxburghii Clos; Rhamnicastrum spinosum O. Ktze; Scolopia fragrans Elm.;