1794

2: Edible fruits and nuts

Sterculia oblongata R. Br.

STERCULIACEAE

Philippines: malabuho, bakau, banilad (Tagalog).

Widely distributed in the Philippines, but rare. Perhaps also in Sulawesi in Indonesia.

The seeds are eaten raw or roasted. Fibres of the bark are used to make ropes. The wood is suitable for light cabinet work and for matches.

Tree, up to 12 m tall and 70 cm in diameter. Fruit an oblongoid capsule, 5 cm x 3.5 cm, inflated, hairy, red, containing 4—6 seeds. Seeds ellipsoid, about 1.5 cm long. In secondary forests and open primary forests at low and medium altitudes. Flowering in September—October.

[8]Brown, W.H., 1951–1957. Useful plants of the Philippines. Reprint of the 1941–1943 ed. 3 Volumes. Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Technical Bulletin 10. Bureau of Printing, Manila, the Philippines.
[18]FAO, 1984. Food and fruit-bearing forest species 2: examples from Southeastern Asia. FAO Forestry paper 44/2, Rome. 167 pp.
[24]Guide to Philippine Flora and Fauna, (various editors), 1986. Vol. 1–4. Natural Resources Management Center, Ministry of Natural Resources & University of the Philippines, Manila, the Philippines.
[54]Merrill, E.D., 1923–1925. An enumeration of Philippine flowering plants. 4 Volumes. Government of the Philippine Islands, Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bureau of Printing, Manila.

P.C.M. Jansen, J. Jukema, L.P.A. Oyen, T.G. van Lingen

Jansen, P.C.M., Jukema, J., Oyen, L.P.A. & van Lingen, T.G., 1991. Sterculia oblongata R. Br.. In: Verheij, E.W.M. and Coronel, R.E. (Editors): Plant Resources of South-East Asia No 2: Edible fruits and nuts. PROSEA Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia. Database record: prota4u.org/prosea