Common Name:

General Information

Myristica elliptica is an evergreen tree with a dense or loose crown; it can grow from 6 - 40 metres tall. The bole sometimes branches from the base; it can be up to 38cm in diameter; sometimes fluted or with buttresses up to 120cm high; with spreading stilt roots when growing in marshy forest[, , ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a condiment, medicine and source of wood.
The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southeast Asia - Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines.

Habitat

A sub-canopy tree in undisturbed mixed dipterocarp, swamp and coastal (tidal) forests; growing along rivers and streams and in swamps, including tidal zones; on clay soils, but also on sand and limestone; at elevations up to 500 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Members of this genus are mainly understorey and canopy trees of primary woodland. They need the shade of woodland, especially when young, though can often tolerate more open positions as they grow larger. They usually succeed on a range of soil types. Most species have a superficial root system and are best grown in positions sheltered from strong winds[].
Plants can flower and produce fruit throughout the year[].
Flowers are produced at the end of the branches[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required.

Edible Uses

The seed is used as a food flavouring[]. A nutmeg substitute[]. The ellipsoid seed is about 40 - 50mm long[].

Medicinal

The plant has medicinal properties[].

Other Uses

The seeds contain fat and starch and have been reported as being combustible[].

The red sap (kino), present in the bark of most species in this genus, can be used as a dye that gives a permanent brown stain[].

The wood is used[].
We have no further information for this species, but the following is the general information for the wood of trees in this genus:-
The heartwood can be dark reddish brown to light yellow-brown or brown with occasional pink tinge and dark red-purple stripes; it is not clearly differentiated from the paler sapwood. A blood red core is found in some species. The grain is straight; the texture is rather fine to slightly coarse and even; somewhat lustrous; without characteristic odour or taste. Growth rings are distinct, demarcated by layers of terminal parenchyma. The wood is mostly soft or moderately hard and moderately heavy; it is not durable, but is easily treated with preservatives. The wood dries rather slowly but with little degrade, though thin stock tends to warp. It is easy to work with, but sometimes easily splitting; planning is easy, with a smooth to moderately smooth finish; drilling and turning are easy with a smooth finish; nailing properties are generally good with some tendency to splitting. A light hardwood, it is mainly used for light construction work, partitioning, flooring, wall-panelling, moulding and other types of interior finishing, and for making tool-handles, woodcrafts, match boxes and splints, packing cases, crates, and household utensils. It is also suitable for manifacturing plywood, rotary veneer and wrapping and writing papers[, ].

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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