Common Name:

General Information

Archidendron havilandii can vary in size from a small shrubby tree to a large tree up to 40 metres tall. The bole, in larger specimens, can be unbranched for up to 15 metres and up to 75cm in diameter[].
The tree is often harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and timber.

Known Hazards

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 - Malaysia, Indonesia.

Habitat

A sub-canopy tree in primary and secondary lowland rain forest; lower montane forest; riverine forest; regrowth; found on flat or sloping terrain, growing on sandstone and soils recorded as black or brown; from sea level to 1,550 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	20.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist tropics where it can be found at elevations up to 1,550 metres.

Plants can flower throughout the year[].
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

Seeds - cooked[].
Some caution should be employed here, some other members of the genus (see A. Jiringa for example) contain djenkolic acid, an amino acid derivative that can cause similar symptoms to kidney stones. It is recommended, for that species, that the seed be boiled in three changes of water to ensure they are safe to eat[].

Medicinal

The seeds are crushed and steeped in coconut-oil. This is then used as a treatment against mosquito and snake bites[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is bright yellow, the sapwood white[].

Propagation

Seed -

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: a square has how many sides?