This species is closely related to Xylocarpus granatum and Xylocarpus rumphii, and has often been confused with them in the literature[, , ].

Common Name:

General Information

Xylocarpus moluccensis is a small tree or a shrub that usually grows from 5 to 18 metres tall, exceptionally to 30 metres[, ]. Usually evergreen, though in some areas with seasonal climates it can become deciduous[]. The bole can be up to 100cm in diameter, with very short or even no buttresses and an elaborated above ground root system[].
The tree is utilised locally for its timber, tannins and medicinal properties[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia from India, through southeast Asia to Indonesia, the Philippines to Australia.

Habitat

Sandy and rocky beaches, in coastal shrub just above the high-water mark, but it has also been reported from typically mangrove environments[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the wet, lowland tropics. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 35°c, but can tolerate 7 - 40°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,500 - 5,000mm, but tolerates 1,600 - 6,000mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position[]. Succeeds in a fertile soil that can range from sandy to clayey[]. Tolerates high levels of salt in the soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 7, tolerating 5.5 - 7.5[].Tolerant of salt-laden winds[].
The trees often produce basal suckers when they are damaged, and plants can sometimes develop several trunks[].
Flowers are functionally unisexual, male flowers having a non-functional, rather slender ovary, female flowers having non-functional stamens either never dehiscent or with sterile pollen[]. It has been observed that certain individuals, although flowering profusely, never produce fruit; this suggests that dioecism sometimes occurs[].
The corky testa of the seed represents an adaption to dispersal by water, and seeds may start to germinate while still floating[].

Edible Uses

The peel from the fruits is added to soups[].

Medicinal

The fruit is used as a treatment for swellings of the breast and for elephantiasis[].
The dried fruit peel is used as an appetizer[].

The astringent bark has some medicinal uses. It is reported to cure dysentery, diarrhoea and other abdominal troubles, and is also used as a febrifuge[, ].

The seed kernels are used as a bitter tonic[, ].
The seed ash, mixed with sulphur and coconut oil, is used as an ointment to treat itch[].

Other Uses

The bark is a fairly rich source of tannins[]. It is used for strengthening rope that needs to be used in the water[, ].
The bark is sometimes used to dye cloth brown[].

An oil obtained from the seed is used as an illuminant[].

The brown wood is very hard, strong and durable[]. A good mahogany-like timber, but as the trunk is usually crooked and hollow, long straight pieces often cannot be cut[]. It is used for making small objects such as pins, tool handles etc, and house posts[]. When large enough pieces are available they are used for boat-building and construction as well as for good quality furniture[].
The wood is also used for firewood[].

Propagation

Seed -

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: what is half of 6?