Common Name: Burmese Grape

General Information

Burmese grape is an evergreen tree with a dense, spreading crown; usually growing 10 - 15 metres tall but exceptionally up to 25 metres. The usualy crooked bole, which can be up to 40cm in diameter, sometimes has buttresses[, , , , ].
The tree is valued locally for its edible fruit and is often cultivated in the home garden and intercropped with other tropical fruits like durian, rambutan, and mango[]. It is also planted as an ornamental and to provide shade[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southern China, India, Myanmar, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam.

Habitat

An understorey tree in primary or secondary evergreen forests, often on slopes, at elevations from 100 - 1,300 metres in southern China[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,300 metres[, ]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 24 - 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, succeeding also in light shade[]. Found on sandy and granite soils[]. Succeeds in a wide range of soils, in well-drained as well as wetter sites[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, tolerating 4.5 - 6.5[].
Plants can produce fruit all year round[].
Plants are dioecious, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

The fruit is used as a refreshing nibble or as table fruit[]. The pulpy, yellow aril is somewhat acid with an agreeable taste[]. To consume the fruit one is advised to break the fruit open with the fingers and/or peel the skin. The pulp is then eaten directly and usually the seeds are also swallowed[]. Eating more than small quantities may cause vomiting[]. The glabrous fruits are 25 - 30mm in diameter[]. They can be of various colours from yellowish, pinkish to bright red[].

The leaves and flowers are sometimes eaten[].

Medicinal

The fruit is used to treat skin diseases[].

The sap of the fresh bark, the bark, roots and wood are all used medicinally[, ].

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:

The tree is often cultivated in the home garden and intercropped with other tropical fruits like durian, rambutan, and mango[].
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

The bark, roots and wood are used to produce a brown-red dye[]..
We have no specific information for this species, but the bark of several members of this genus is used, along with other ingredients, as a dyestuff to colour silk yellow, red or mauve, using the dyeing process known as 'pekan' in Malay[].
The bark is used as a mordant in dyeing[].

The heartwood is yellowish brown, darkening to brown with an orange-yellow to purple-red tinge; it is not clearly differentiated from the sapwood. The grain can be straight or interlocked; texture moderately fine and uneven due to wide rays; wood with slight silver grain on quarter-sawn surface. The wood is moderately hard, moderately strong, reputed to be durable. It is used for cabinet work, construction, agricultural implements, furniture, boats and for smaller items[, 404. 598].

Propagation

Seed - easily germinated, when fresh it usually germinates in a matter of days[].
Air layering.
Budding and grafting.

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