Common Name:

General Information

Archidendron ellipticum is a tree growing up to 20 metres tall. The bole can be 50cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a timber and parasiticide.

Known Hazards

The branchlets are sometimes hollow and inhabited by ants, very often by fierce red tailor-ants that will quickly attack anything (including humans) that disturbs the tree[].
The roots are used as a fish poison[].
Although we have no specific information for this species, the seeds of several other members of this genus contain the amino acid derivative djenkolic acid. Ingestion of seed containing this substance can cause the formation of sharp needle-like crystals of djenkolic acid in the kidney or urinary tract. In severe cases, crystals of djenkolic acid have been found in urine. Indeed, people who are suffering from djenkolism show similar symptoms to those suffering from kidney or urinary stones, a condition for which it has been frequently mistaken[].

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Nicobar Islands, peninsular Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines.

Habitat

An understorey tree in primary and secondary rain forest, common at forest margins and along rivers and creeks; growing in sandy or clayey, brown or black soils; at elevations up to 600 metres[, ].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist, lowland tropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 600 metres.

Trees can flower and fruit all year round[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The dried, leaves are burnt and the smoke from them inhaled as a treatment for people intoxicated by intoxicant foods[]..
The leaves are pounded with water and then rubbed on the head, which acts as a lather against lice[].

Other Uses

The stems are used for fencing[].

The heartwood is dark yellowish, the sapwood pale yellow to whitish[]. It is used locally for light construction, interior joinery, furniture, cabinet work, canoes, fencing, knife handles, boxes[, ].

Propagation

Seed -

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