Tower Pine, PNG basswood, Whitewood
A tropical plant. It grows in lowland rainforest in Papua New Guinea. It grows between sea level and 350 m altitude. It grows in areas with a mean annual temperature of 22-28°C. It is also in areas with an annual rainfall of 1500-5600 mm. The rainfall is uniformly distributed. It grows in a range of soils including ones that are occasionally flooded. It can grow in soils with a pH or 4.0-7.4.
Also known as:
A'asa, Gaimaita, Gaimet, Kakadikana, Kamite, Kumaro, Napasa
Synonyms
- Very similar to Endospermum myrmecophilum
Edible Portion
- Leaves
Where does Tower Pine grow?
Found in: Asia, Indonesia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu
Notes: There are 13 Endospermum species.
Status: It is a useful timber tree.
Growing Tower Pine, PNG basswood, Whitewood
Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seed should be sown while fresh. Seeds germinate in 2-5 weeks. Seedlings can be planted in the field after 14-16 weeks. Plants can be grown from cuttings.
Edible Uses: The young leaves are eaten cooked.
Production: It grows very quickly. It can grow 2-3 m each year.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
Tower Pine, PNG basswood, Whitewood Photos
References
Borrell, O.W., 1989, An Annotated Checklist of the Flora of Kairiru Island, New Guinea. Marcellin College, Victoria Australia. p 74, 188
Cabalion, P. and Morat, P., 1983, Introduction le vegetation, la flore et aux noms vernaculaires de l'ile de Pentcoste (Vanuatu), In: Journal d'agriculture traditionnelle et de botanique appliquee JATBA Vol. 30, 3-4
Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 183 (Possibly synonym Endospermum myrmecophilum)
Elevitch, C.R.(ed.), 2006, Traditional Trees of the Pacific Islands: Their Culture, Environment and Use. Permanent Agriculture Resources, Holualoa, Hawaii. p 317
French, B.R., 2010, Food Plants of Solomon Islands. A Compendium. Food Plants International Inc. p 327
Havel, J.J., 1975, Forest Botany, Volume 3 Part 2 Botanical taxonomy. Papua New Guinea Department of Forests, p 144
Johns, R.J., 1976, Common Forest Trees of Papua New Guinea. Part 5 Angiospermae, Forestry College Bulolo, PNG p 226
World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew