Yellow ball flower, Kamala
Mallotus nesophilus

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It can be 4-10 m high. It has a rounded crown. Plants are separately male and female. The leaves are broadly oval and slightly hairy. The blade is 4.5-13 cm long by 4.5-8 cm wide. They are dark green above and paler underneath. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants. Male flowers are very small and cream. They are about 0.3 cm across. They are along stalks about 5-7.5 cm long. Female flowers are white and along shorter stalks. The fruit are dry, woody capsules with 2-3 lobes. They are about 0.5-0.7 cm across. They have a mealy yellow powder over them when ripe.

There are about 140 Mallotus species. They grow in the tropics.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in coastal monsoon vine thickets. It is on sand dunes and cliffs above the beach. It needs good drainage and a sunny position. It grows from sea level to 700 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The powder is rubbed off the surface then the fruit eaten without the skin or seeds. The fruit have a peppery, slightly bitter taste.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seed.

Its other names

Local names

Badarbadar

Synonyms

Echinus nesophilus (Mull.Arg.) Baill.; Mallotus tiliifolius (Blume) Mull.Arg.;