Drypetes longifolia

(Blume) Pax & Hoffm.

Long-leaf drypetes tree

PutranjivaceaeFruitPotential hazards — see below
Caution — Parts of this plant may be toxic or require specific preparation. Verify with multiple sources before consuming.
Drypetes longifolia
iNaturalist · cc-by-nc-sa
(c) filibot.web, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)
Drypetes longifolia
wikimedia · cc-by-sa
Wikimedia Commons - R.Rahasia
Drypetes longifolia
wikimedia · cc-by-sa
Wikimedia Commons - R.Rahasia

What to Eat

Edible parts: Fruit

The fruit is edible.

Known Hazards

The plant is defended by the stinging ants that live symbiotically in the twigs of this species.

Where to Find It

It is a tropical plant. It grows in forests up to about 600 m above sea level. It grows on sandy soils along rivers and on dry hillsides. It can be on limestone.

Andaman Islands, Asia, Brunei, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand

Countries: United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brunei, Bhutan, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mongolia, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Philippines, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Syria, Thailand, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen

How to Identify

A tree. It grows about 30 m tall. The twigs are hollow and filled with ants. The leaves are alternate and simple. The base of the leaf is unequal. The leaves are large. The flowers are 8 mm across and white. They are in groups in the axils of leaves. They fruit are about 2.5 cm long. They are orange red and fleshy. They are on the stems. The plant is defended by ants.

How to Grow

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Names & Synonyms

Kikr daun besar, Maklawi, Mintulang, Pohon kikir daun panjang

Cyclostemon longifolius BlumeCyclostemon macrophyllus BlumeCyclostemon macrophyllus var. malaccensis Hook. f.Drypetes macrophylla (Blume) Pax & Hoffm.and several others
References (2)
  • Slik, F., www.asianplant.net
  • Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 248

More from Putranjivaceae