Yellow xanthophyllum tree
Xanthophyllum flavescens

Family: Polygalaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows to 36 m high. The trunk is 100 cm across. The leaves are oblong. They taper to the tip. They are 7-26 cm long by 3-11 cm wide. There are 6-10 pairs of secondary veins. The flowers are yellow or white. The fruit is round and green. It is 2 cm across.

It is used in medicine. Also put in the Xanthophyllaceae family.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in mixed forest. In Indonesia it grows up to 1300 m altitude. In southern China it grows in damp dense forests between 500-2,000 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand

How it is used for food

The fruit is used to flavour drinks. The leaves are cooked and used as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Fruit - flavouring, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Ajensak, Gandi, Madakka, Maddinasoppu, Maralumathangi, Mattei, Mottal, Muttainarathia, Muttei, Pohon kayu saluang, Pohon kiendog, Pohon santopila kuning, Sagwe, Thitpyu, Thit-tazin

Synonyms

Banisteroides affine (Korth. ex Miq.) Kuntze; Kaulfussia geminiflora Dennst.; Xanthophyllum affine Korth. ex Miq.; Xanthophyllum geminiflorum (Dennst.) Alston; Xanthophyllum siamense W. G. Craib;