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Useful Tropical Plants

Myristica fatua

Houtt.

Myristicaceae


A polymorphic species, up to 14 distinct forms have been recognised by some botanists, including the Indian species Myristica magnifica, which is treated as distinct in Flora Malesiana[
317
Title
Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
,
451
Title
Flora Malesiana Series 1
Publication
 
Author
Various
Website
http://www.archive.org
Publisher
Nationaal Herbarium Nederiand, Universiteit Leiden branch
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A massive treatment of the plants of the Malaysian Archipelago. Much of it has been made available to download from the Internet
].

+ Synonyms

Myristica morindiifolia Blume

Myristica multinervia A.C.Sm.

Myristica procera A.C.Sm.

Myristica sericea Warb.

Myristica subcordata Blume

Common Name:

Myristica fatua
Fruiting branch
Photograph by: Roji Mahroji
Creative Commons License
Myristica fatua Myristica fatua Myristica fatua Myristica fatua

General Information

Myristica fatua is an evergreen tree with a narrow, open, relatively sparse crown; it can grow up to 37 metres tall[
441
Title
Handbooks of the Flora of Papua New Guinea
Publication
 
Author
Womersley. J.S. (Editor)
Publisher
Melbourne University Press
Year
1995
ISBN
0 522 84095 7
Description
Only a part of the flora, but an excellent publication in 3 volumes. It can be downloaded from the internet.
]. The bole is straight with low buttresses[
451
Title
Flora Malesiana Series 1
Publication
 
Author
Various
Website
http://www.archive.org
Publisher
Nationaal Herbarium Nederiand, Universiteit Leiden branch
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A massive treatment of the plants of the Malaysian Archipelago. Much of it has been made available to download from the Internet
]. The tree often produces stilt roots, especially when growing in swampy soils[
441
Title
Handbooks of the Flora of Papua New Guinea
Publication
 
Author
Womersley. J.S. (Editor)
Publisher
Melbourne University Press
Year
1995
ISBN
0 522 84095 7
Description
Only a part of the flora, but an excellent publication in 3 volumes. It can be downloaded from the internet.
].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a condiment, medicine and source of wood. It is occasionally cultivated on Java and in Malaysia[
317
Title
Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
]. The plant's attractive foliage makes it suitable for cultivation as an ornamental[
441
Title
Handbooks of the Flora of Papua New Guinea
Publication
 
Author
Womersley. J.S. (Editor)
Publisher
Melbourne University Press
Year
1995
ISBN
0 522 84095 7
Description
Only a part of the flora, but an excellent publication in 3 volumes. It can be downloaded from the internet.
].

Known Hazards

None knownLots of stilt roots surround this tree growing near water

Botanical References

441
Title
Handbooks of the Flora of Papua New Guinea
Publication
 
Author
Womersley. J.S. (Editor)
Publisher
Melbourne University Press
Year
1995
ISBN
0 522 84095 7
Description
Only a part of the flora, but an excellent publication in 3 volumes. It can be downloaded from the internet.
,
451
Title
Flora Malesiana Series 1
Publication
 
Author
Various
Website
http://www.archive.org
Publisher
Nationaal Herbarium Nederiand, Universiteit Leiden branch
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A massive treatment of the plants of the Malaysian Archipelago. Much of it has been made available to download from the Internet

Range

E. Asia - southern India, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Samoa.

Habitat

Usually found as a canopy tree in a wide variety of habitats, especially swamp forests, in primary or secondary forest, at elevations from near sea level to 1,600 metres[
441
Title
Handbooks of the Flora of Papua New Guinea
Publication
 
Author
Womersley. J.S. (Editor)
Publisher
Melbourne University Press
Year
1995
ISBN
0 522 84095 7
Description
Only a part of the flora, but an excellent publication in 3 volumes. It can be downloaded from the internet.
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Tree
Height30.00 m
PollinatorsBees, Insects
Self-fertileNo
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Ornamental, 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[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
Flowers are produced at the end of the branches[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required.

Edible Uses

Nuts and arils - dried and used as spices[
377
Title
Trade Winds Fruit
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
The on-line catalogue of a company selling seeds. Gives descriptions, photos and uses of a very wide range of fruit and other food-producing plants plus ornamentals.
]. Smaller than nutmeg, and not as fragrant[
377
Title
Trade Winds Fruit
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
The on-line catalogue of a company selling seeds. Gives descriptions, photos and uses of a very wide range of fruit and other food-producing plants plus ornamentals.
]. The fresh nut is faintly aromatic but loses its aroma on drying and storage[
1034
Title
The Gardens' Bulletin Vol. 23
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Botanic Gardens Park and Recreation Department; Singapore
Year
1968
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical journal, this one contains a revision of the genus Myristica.
]. The nuts are occasionally used as a condiment, though they have little commercial value[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
]. The ellipsoid to oblong seeds are 30 - 35mm long[
451
Title
Flora Malesiana Series 1
Publication
 
Author
Various
Website
http://www.archive.org
Publisher
Nationaal Herbarium Nederiand, Universiteit Leiden branch
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A massive treatment of the plants of the Malaysian Archipelago. Much of it has been made available to download from the Internet
].

Medicinal

The seeds are used in traditional medicine in the treatment of headaches and other sicknesses. They are powdered, then mixed with senna as a purgative[
1034
Title
The Gardens' Bulletin Vol. 23
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Botanic Gardens Park and Recreation Department; Singapore
Year
1968
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical journal, this one contains a revision of the genus Myristica.
].

The latex is used to check nasal haemorrhage in Guadalcanal[
1034
Title
The Gardens' Bulletin Vol. 23
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Botanic Gardens Park and Recreation Department; Singapore
Year
1968
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical journal, this one contains a revision of the genus Myristica.
].

Other Uses

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[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
].

The off-white wood is very soft and easy to cut, usually not differentiated into heartwood and sapwood[
441
Title
Handbooks of the Flora of Papua New Guinea
Publication
 
Author
Womersley. J.S. (Editor)
Publisher
Melbourne University Press
Year
1995
ISBN
0 522 84095 7
Description
Only a part of the flora, but an excellent publication in 3 volumes. It can be downloaded from the internet.
]. It has been used for posts when building traditional houses[
1034
Title
The Gardens' Bulletin Vol. 23
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Botanic Gardens Park and Recreation Department; Singapore
Year
1968
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical journal, this one contains a revision of the genus Myristica.
].
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[
316
Title
Tropical Timbers of the World. Ag. Handbook No. 607.
Publication
 
Author
Chudnoff. Martin.
Publisher
USDA Forest Service. Wisconsin.
Year
1984
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details on the properties of the wood of almost 400 species of trees from the Tropics.
,
899
Title
Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak Vols 1 - 6
Publication
 
Author
Soepadmo E.; Saw L.G.; Chung R.C.K. (Editors)
Publisher
Forest Research Institute Malaysia; Kuala Lumpur.
Year
2002
ISBN
983-2181-27-5
Description
A flora of the woody plants of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo, often giving details of plant uses.
].

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[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
,
1034
Title
The Gardens' Bulletin Vol. 23
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Botanic Gardens Park and Recreation Department; Singapore
Year
1968
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical journal, this one contains a revision of the genus Myristica.
]. Grow the young plants on in a shady position, planting them out in their permanent positions when large enough.
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-12-06. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Myristica+fatua>

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