Common Name: Tapos

General Information

Tapos is an ornamental tree growing up to 27 metres tall, with occasional specimens as tall as 50 metres being recorded[]. The bole can be up to 10 metres tall and is sometimes shortly fluted or with buttresses up to 2 metres tall[].
The tree is valued locally for its edible seed, which is often found for sale in local markets[]. It is also the source of an oil and a resin.

Known Hazards

The raw seeds usually contain cyanide and are poisonous[]. The toxins can be destroyed by thorough cooking[, ].

Botanical References

Range

Southeastern Asia - Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia.

Habitat

Hilly primary (mixed dipterocarp) and secondary forest, kerangas forest, forest edges, along logging roads from sea level to elevations of 600 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	25.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the hot, humid, lowland tropics[].
Found in the wild in deep and yellow-coloured soils, mainly clay, clay-loam, sandy clay, loam, sometimes sandstone or (silty) laterite[]. The plant is often found in the wild in Kerangas forest - a type of moist, heath forest found on acidic, sandy soils that are low in nutrients, especially nitrogen[].
Plants can flower and fruit throughout the year[].

Edible Uses

The roasted or boiled seed is eaten[, ]. In excess they can cause dizziness[]. A paste is made of the seeds (pounded with some water) and used to flavour some kinds of sambal[]. Some people bury the paste packed in a bag or in bamboo in wet earth for a month or more, the result is a fermented paste with a strong flavour, which is highly appreciated with meals[].
Some care is advised, the raw seed is usually poisonous[], though non-toxic forms are known[]. The seed is about 32 - 36 by 14 - 22mm[].

The oil is pale yellow, nearly odourless and with a nice taste[]. It can be used for cooking, but is seldom pressed from the seed[].

Medicinal

The latex is used to shield dirty wounds, because it dries quickly[]. Fresh latex is applied once per day to crack wounds on the soles of bare feet[].

Other Uses

The oil is pale yellow and nearly odourless[]. It can be used as a lamp oil, but is seldom pressed from the seed[].

The seeds make nice toys for children, they are used as toy beetles or threaded together in a game called 'conquerors'[].

A bluish-white latex obtained from the plant is used to polish blowpipes to a glossy dark sheen[]

The sapwood is white, the heartwood with beautiful dark brown flames[]. It is hard and durable[]. The wood is usually considered to be excellent, but is unsuitable for construction because, although the sapwood is durable, the heartwood rots easily or is attacked by termites unless treated with preservatives[]. It is mainly used for making small items, like the handles of rubber tapping knives, because it takes a nice polish[].
The wood is often used as a fuel[].

Propagation

Seed -

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