Common Name: Rambai

General Information

Baccaurea motleyana is a tree with a low, round, dense crown, that can grow 15 - 25 metres tall, but is usually smaller. The bole can be 13 - 50cm in diameter with short buttresses[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild as a local source of food, medicines and wood. It is sometimes cultivated as a garden plant in the tropics, being grown for its edible fruit[]. The tree is also planted as an ornamental and to provide shade[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southeast Asia - Malaysia to Indonesia.

Habitat

Primary and secondary rain forest, and rarely riparian forest at elevations of 15 - 500 metres[].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

A plant of hot, humid, lowland tropical rainforest areas, where it is found at elevations up to 750 metres[, , ]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 28 - 28°c, but can tolerate 18 - 34°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 3,500mm, but tolerates 1,000 - 4,000mm[].
Prefers a position in full sun or light shade[]. Prefers alluvial soils near rivers or other places where water is available[]. Plants succeed on yellow clay, sand and limestone soils[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, tolerating 4.5 - 6.5[].
There are improved forms with superior tasting fruits[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[, ].

Edible Uses

The fruit is eaten raw, made into drinks or is sometimes pickled to be served with curries[, ]. The pulp varies considerably in its quality, ranging from rather acid to sweet and palatable[, , ]. Sweet varieties make a refreshing nibble or table fruit[]. The buff-coloured fruit is 2 - 4cm in diameter, usually slightly longer than wide with a translucent white pulp[]. The fruit is borne on the plant in small clusters[].

Medicinal

The squeezed cambium and inner bark are used as a remedy for sore eyes[].

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

A dye is obtained from the tannin-rich bark[, ]. It is mixed with the roots of Melastoma malabathricum to produce a dark-red dye[].

The stems are utilized as posts[].

Propagation

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

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