| DESCRIPTION: It is a dioecious and evergreen tree reaching up to 20 m in height, usually much shorter, branches rather thick, glaucous, pubescent when young. Leaves alternate, blade peltate, suborbicular, 8-32 x 5-28 cm. Flowers in axillary, paniculate inflorescences, composed of bracts enclosing clusters of flowers. USE: In Sumatra, fruit are added to palm juice when it is boiled down into crystals, improving the quality of the sugar produced. Wood is used as fuel and for fibre. Trees are planted for shelter. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. COMMON NAMES: Hairy mahang (English). FURTHER INF: It is a fast-growing pioneer species, often common in secondary forests, especially in logging areas. It is also found in thickets, brushwood, village groves and beach vegetation. |
