Xanthophyllum affine

Family: Polygalaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows to 30 m high. The trunk is 95 cm across. The twigs have small hairs. The leaves are alternate and simple. The leaves are long and oblong. They taper to the tip. They are 8-30 cm long by 2.5-12 cm wide. There are 6-14 pairs of secondary veins. The flowers are white and 13 mm across. The fruit is round or ribbed or beaked. It is green and 1.5 cm across.

There are about 100 Xanthophyllum species. Also put in the Xanthophyllaceae family.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on sandstone and limestone soils. It grows in mixed mountain forest on dry land or river banks. In Indonesia it grows to 1,500 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Brunei, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten and used in drinks. A drink is made from the leaves.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves - tea, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ba'id, Gading jantan, Kayu saluang, Lima berok jantan, Lima berok puteh, Minyak bagao, Minyak berok, Minyak buruk, Nyalin

Synonyms

Banisterodes affine (Miq.) O.K.; Xanthophyllum excelsum var. affine (Miq.) Boerl.; Xanthophyllum sarawakense Chodat;