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

Common Name:

General Information

Xylocarpus rumphii is a small tree or a shrub that usually grows from 4 to 12 metres tall, occasionally to 18 metres[, ]. It is usually evergreen, though in some areas with seasonal climates it can become deciduous[]. The bole is often of poor form, it can be up to 50cm in diameter, and has neither conspicuous buttresses nor pneumatophores[].
The tree is utilised locally for its timber, tannins and medicinal properties[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Coastal tropis from east Africa through tropical Asia to the Philippines, New Guinea, Australia and the Pacific.

Habitat

Cliffs and rocks near surf and sandy substrates above high watermark[]. Near mangrove swamps, along foreshores and in coastal thickets in New Guinea[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
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 18 - 35°c, but can tolerate 7 - 39°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,000 - 4,000mm, but tolerates 1,600 - 5,000mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position[]. Prefers a fertile, loamy to heavy soil[]. 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 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[].
A large piece of the bark is stripped from the tree then heated on an open fire until it is very hot. This piece of bark is then tied to the back of the patient before they go to bed in the evening. It is said tyo be an effective treatment for backaches and inflammation of the vertebrae[].

The soft leaves are chewed and then swallowed. This is said to produce general well-being and a strengthening of the body[].
The leaves are boiled then the liquid cooled and used as a wash to ease strong coughs[].

The seeds are used medicinally[].

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[].

The red-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 -

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