Brucea javanica
(L.) Merr.
Kusam seeds, Makassar kernel tree
(c) Ajahn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Ajahn
(c) mingun, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) mingun, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
What to Eat
Edible parts: CAUTION
The fruit is used to make chutney. The dried fruit are used in pickles. CAUTION: Fruit normally considered very poisonous. It is probably used in medicine. It is rich in alkaloids. They are used to reduce diarrhoea.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
It is a tropical plant. It grows best in rich, moist, well drained soils in a sheltered partly shaded position. It commonly grows along creek banks. It needs a temperature above 15-18°C. It grows up to 1,000 m above sea level in Borneo. In Yunnan.
Africa, Asia, Australia, Central Africa, China, Congo DR, East Timor, Fiji, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, West Timor,
How to Identify
An evergreen shrub. It grows to a height of 3-7 m and spreads to 3 m across. The stem is erect and branching. It is hairy when young. The leaves are compound leaves and produced alternately. They are 30-50 cm long and have 5 to 11 leaflets. These are oval but tapering to the tip and with coarse teeth around the edge. The leaflets are 5-8 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. The flowers are purple and small. The fruit are about 5 mm long.
How to Grow
It can be grown from seed. Seed should be sown when fresh.
Propagation: Seed - In a germination test the seed had a germination rate of about 35% within 11 - 273 days. The hard outer coat should be removed before the seed is sown. Cuttings of ripe wood in a sandy soil.
Medicinal Uses
The dried fruit are used in pickles and to make chutney. Used medicinally in Indonesia, particularly to reduce diarrhoea, treat dysentery, and for worm treatment. Has anticancer properties.
Other Uses
The bitter root is used against the attacks of insects. The seeds are used as an insecticide. They contain copious quantities of a terribly bitter oil.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Brucea javanica, commonly known as the Macassar kernels, is a plant in the family Simaroubaceae. The specific epithet javanica is from Latin, meaning "of Java". Other common names in English include Java brucea and kosam.
Notes
There are about 10 Brucea species. Probably used as medicine for treating worms not leaves eaten for food. It is used as medicine in Indonesia. The seeds are used to treat dysentery. It has anticancer properties.
Names & Synonyms
Bhakamilo, Bhakiamilo, Biji makasar, Brucea jawa, Buah Makasar, Hala, Perdu kuwalot, Pohon tongkat ali, Tiuru, Ya dan zi
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