Common Name: Menteng

General Information

Menteng is a variable plant ranging from a shrub about 3 metres tall up to a medium-sized tree with a dense, irregular crown; it can grow up to 25 metres tall[, ]. The bole can be 25 - 70cm in diameter[].
The plant is often cultivated, mainly in Indonesia, for its edible fruit and is also grown as an ornamental and shade tree[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Malaysia.

Habitat

An understorey tree of tropical lowland forest at elevations up to 1,000 metres, on a wide range of soils, from dry sandstone to peat swamps[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the lowland tropic al forest, where it is found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 21 - 28°c, but can tolerate 14 - 34°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall of around 2,500mm, but tolerates 1,500 - 4,500mm[].
Prefers a sunny position, succeeding in light shade[]. Succeeds on a range of soils[]. Found in the wild on granite to yellow or red sandy clay soils[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 5.5, tolerating 4.5 - 6[].
Plants can fruit all year round[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

Fruits eaten fresh, stewed, pickled or fermented[]. Much esteemed by local people[]. The fruit must be eaten sparingly, or vomiting may occur[]. The sub-acid, yellow-green or reddish fruits are 20 - 24mm in diameter with a pink pulp[, ].

Medicinal

We have no specific information on this species, but the bark of several members of this genus is used to relieve eye inflammation[].

Agroforestry Uses:

In common with other trees that produce their flowers and fruits on the trunk of the tree, members of this genus are generally considered to be good support trees for the climbing rattan palms, which are grown to provide material for basket making, weaving into furniture, making ropes etc[].

Other Uses

Dyes are made from the bark[].
A dye is obtained from the leaves[].

A fibre used for making paper is obtained from the plant[]. This could mean the pulped wood[].

The excellent timber is used for house and boat construction and furniture making[].

Propagation

Seed - when sown fresh it usually germinates in a few days[].

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