Common Name:

General Information

Horsfieldia sylvestris is an evergreen tree that can range in height from 7 - 40 metres tall with some exceptional specimens said to reach 60 metres[]. The bole is often very straight, in old specimens with a rotten core. The tree sometimes has buttresses, which can be up to 2.5 metres tall and 1.5 metres out from the trunk; small stilt roots are also sometimes present[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its edible fruit and oil-rich seed. It is also planted near villages and has been recommended for growing as an ornamental[].
The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Indonesia, Papua New Guinea.

Habitat

An emergent tree in primary, degraded, and secondary forest, in various situations including alluvial soil; swamp forest; forest inundated by heavy rain; stagnant water; well-drained porous volcanic soil; near limestone outcrops; sea level to 700 m[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Semi-cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist tropical lowlands, where it can be found at elevations up to 700 metres[].

The tree can flower and fruit all year round[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. A sour flavour[].
The fruit coat has a pleasant taste[]. It is used as a flavouring[]. It is an ingredient in rodjak. And in manisan (a sweet pickle)[].

Medicinal

An extract of the bark is used as a treatment against 'penyakit keputihan' by pregnant women in the Moluccas. It is also used against hepatitis[].

Other Uses

An oil is obtained from the seed[].
The seeds are used for manufacturing rough candles[].

The sapwood is pale yellowish or straw-coloured, usually gradually passing into the slightly darker reddish heartwood[]. The wood is heavy, easily worked, not very durable[].

Propagation

Seed - dries out easily, loses its viability rapidly, and cannot be stored. It is best sown in a shaded position in a nursery seedbed - germination is usually fairly quick with the seed of most species sprouting within 2 - 17 weeks[, , ]. Grow the young plants on in a shady position, planting them out in their permanent positions when large enough.

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