Nauclea orientalis L.

A medium sized evergreen tree. It grows to 10-25 m high and spreads to 3-12 m wide. The stem is erect and branching. The branches are almost horizontal. The bark is brown and flaky with cracks along it. The leaves are produced opposite one another. They are oval and taper to a point. The tip is blunt. The base is rounded. They are 15-38 cm long by 20 cm across. There are 12 pairs of side veins which curve along the edge of the leaf. They have large leafy stipules at the base of the leaf stalk. The flowers are slender and like tubes. The flower clusters are produced at the ends of branches. The fruit are fused into round masses. They are 2-4 cm across. They are fleshy. The seeds are very small. They are 1.5 mm long by 1 mm wide.

A tropical plant. It grows in warm temperate regions. It can grow in the tropics and subtropics. It does best in well-composted, well-drained soil. It needs an open sunny position. It is damaged by drought and frost. It can stand light frost. It is often along the edges of streams and swamps. It can tolerate occasional flooding. In Borneo it grows up to 100 m above sea level. In Indonesia it grows to 1,400 m above sea level. In Townsville palmetum. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

The fruit are eaten. They are bitter. They have a strong smell and bitter, soft pulp. The young leaves are steamed and eaten with rice.

Plants are grown from fresh seed. They germinate in 2-4 weeks.