Saturday 28 January 2012

Litsea graciae - Tebulus




Common name :
Tebulus ( Melanau ), Engkala ( Iban )

Synonym :
Litsea sebifera, Litsea aurea

Origin :
Probably regions ranging from the Philippines to Borneo island.

Description :
Medium to large tree up to 20m in height.  Trunk diameter up to 50cm.
Leaves ovate, oblong to lanceolate, alternate, 12-50cm length, 15cm width.
Flower 15mm diameter, white-yellow, racemes.
Fruit globose, fleshy drupe on enlarged cupule,  4cm diameter, green while mature, soft and pink while ripened.  

Propagation :
Seed.

Usage :
Fruits for consumption.
Oil extracted from seeds used in making soaps and candles.
Timber for construction.