Cynometra cauliflora L.
Family
Leguminosae
Synonyms
None
Vernacular Names
| Malaysia | Puki anjing. |
| Indonesia | Namu-namu (Menado), kopi anjing (Java), puki (Sunda). |
| Thailand | Amphawa (Central), nang-ai (Bangkok), hima (Pattani). |
| Southeast Asia | Namnam. |
Geographical Distributions
Cynometra cauliflora is only known in the cultivated state from Southeast Asia and India. Possibly C. cauliflora is originated in eastern Malesia.
Description
C. cauliflora is a shrub or small tree, which is measure about 3-15 m tall, with rather dense crown and with distinctly zig-zag twigs.
The leaves are 1-jugate with 1 pair of leaflets while the petiole is measure about 2-8 mm long. The leaflets are ovate-oblong in shape, very asymmetric, measuring 5.5-16.5 cm x 1.5-5.5 cm, almost sessile and they are droop.
The inflorescences are cauliflorous, with 4-5 small racemes that crowded together on hard knots on the trunk right down to the ground. The rachis is measure about 0.5-3 cm long. There are 4 pinkish-white in colour of sepals, which are measure about 2-4 mm long. The 5 white petals are measure about 3-4 mm long. There are 8-10 stamens while the style is measuring about 5-6 mm long.
The 1-seeded fruit (pod) is kidney-shaped, with a size of measure about 3-9 cm x 2-6 cm x 1-4 cm, fleshy, wrinkled, brownish-green in colour and hanging from the trunk.
The brown seeds are flattened kidney-shaped and with a size of measuring 3-6 cm x 2-4 cm.
Ecology / Cultivation
C. cauliflora grows well in wet tropical lowlands, but experience in India suggests that it is more fruitful in monsoon climates with a distinct dry season. It prefers full sun but tolerates shade. An annual rainfall of 1500-2000 mm and daily temperatures of 22-35°C are desirable. The tree resists wind.
Line Drawing / Photograph
References
- Plant Resources of South-East Asia No. 2: Edible fruits and nuts.
