| DESCRIPTION: Aromatic tree to 30 m tall, but probably smaller in its elfin forest habitat; fruiting when only 6-12 m tall. Leaves aromatic, coriaceous, entire (possibly evergreen), thickest above the middle, pinnately nerved, with a short acumen at the tip. Flowers fragrant, white, clustered on the stems. Fruits average 25 mm in diameter (12-43 mm). Each fruit has 5-72 seeds (average 31), the seeds ranging from 1-40 mm, averaging 3 mm. The seeds are close to hexahedral and prismatic, being quite angular, black to blackish gold, often still surrounded by a gummy or resinous endocarp. USES: It is called petroleum nut because of the resemblance of the odour of the fruit's oil to that of petroleum, the fruits, even green ones, burn brilliantly when ignited. Hence they are used like torch nuts or candlenuts for illumination in the bush. The oleoresin is used to treat muscular pains and skin diseases and the nut decoction is used for colds. FURTHER INF.: Petroleum nut is reported to range from 600-2 400 m elevation. In the Philippines, it is locally known in Benguet as apisang, abkol, abkel, and langis; in the Mountain Province, dael and dingo, and in Abra, sagaga. It abounds in Mt. Pulis, Ifugao, and is reported from the headwaters of the Agno and Chico River Basins. Also in the Bicol Provinces, Palawan, Hindoro, Nueva Ecija, and Laguna Provinces. It is being cultivated at FORI's Conifer Research Center, Baguio City. Whether or not it can stand frost, dry heat, and drought is questionable. Seeds and cutting can be used to propagate the tree. Seeds may lose their vitality rather rapidly. |