Marian Plum - Bouea macrophylla Griffith

Marian Plum is an endemic of South East Asia, and has Scientific name Bouea macrophylla Griffith. Even though it is becoming scarce in its source area, Marian Plum is still well known and has the local names Gandaria or Djatake (Indonesia) and serapoh, kondongan, kundang (Malaysia).

Marian Plum  is a tree of the humid tropics and thrives in light and fertile soil. It occurs naturally in lowland forests below 300 m altitude, but has been successfully cultivated up to elevations of about 850 m.

Tree with clear sap turning black. Stipules absent. Leaves opposite which is rare within the Anacardiaceae, distichous (in one plane along the twig), simple, large, glabrous. Flowers small, placed in small branched inflorescences. Fruits c. 3 cm long, orange-red fleshy drupes.

Characteristics of the tree: 

The tree is medium, but high. The height can reach 25 m with a diameter of 55 cm. The plant canopy is conical or round in shape with dense leaves so it is very suitable for use as a shade plant. The leaves are single and lanceolate to elliptical in shape, the leaves are large with leaves 13-35 cm long and 5-7 cm wide. Plants if grown from seeds will begin to bear fruit at the age of 6-8 years, while if from a connection they will bear fruit 4-5 years later. Naturally, gandaria plants grow to a height of 300 m above sea level. The best growth is in soil with good drainage.

The fruit resembles a round and small mango. The type is like a stone fruit, giving off a thick liquid and a distinctive smell like turpentine. When they are young, they are green in color, and when they are ripe, they are yellow-orange. The seeds are purple, oval-oval to lanceolate or oblong in shape. When young white, then gradually dark purple, then dark green. Fruit length 3-6 cm with a width of 3-4 cm. Seeds 2-5 cm in diameter with bright purple cotyledons. The inflorescences are panicles, the flowers resemble yellow mango flowers, and appear in the axils of the leaves. Flowering in September-December.

Uses

A popular fruit tree with diminutive mango-like fruits. Although generally rather acid even whenfully ripe, the fruit is much consumed fresh, cooked in syrup or made into an excellent compote. However, the use of the young fruits is more important; they serve as ingredient of a special kind of 'sambal', the chilli-based condiment, and in pickles ('asinan'), the bright purple cotyledons in the big seed adding to the attraction of the concoction. Occasionally the young leaves ¡ª which are deep violet, sometimes strikingly white when they emerge ¡ª are also consumed fresh, to be eaten with the gandaria- flavoured 'sambal'. Gandaria is recommended for planting in transmigration areas in Sumatra because of its abundant fruit production and very dense foliage, making it an excellent shade tree. The timber is durable but only used for minor purposes.

Nutritions

According to the Nutrition Division of the Thai Ministry of Health, every 100 grams of Mirian Plump contains:

Water : 86,6 g

Proteins         : 40 mg

Fat         : 20 mg

Carbohydrate         : 11,3 g

Fiber : 150 mg

Niacin : 0,5 mg

Vitamin C : 100 mg

Calcium         : 9 mg

Phosphor         : 4 mg

Iron         : 0,3 mg

Beta carotene         : 23 mg

Thiamine         : 0,11 mg

Riboflavin : 0,05 mg

Economic Potential

We do not yet have complete data on the global production of this fruit, but as far as we know there have been no serious cultivation efforts to develop this plant and produce one or several products that have high economics. Food, drink and health products.

With the nutritional potential as above, do you think that Mirian Plum has a high enough economic potential?

Scientific classification:

Kingdom            :         Plantae

Division            :         Magnoliophyta

Class            :         Magnoliopsida

Order                  :         Sapindales

Family                :         Anacardiaceae

Genus                 :          Boueae

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Guava (Psidium guajava)

Guava (Psidium guajava), is a tropical plant from Brazil, which then spread to many other tropical countries, and became a popular fruit in there. Has a green rind when young and turn yellow when ripe and have white or red meat fruit and sweet-sour taste, Guava contain a lot of vitamin C.

Guava leaves contain tannins, eugenol (essential oils), fatty oil, resin, tannin substances, triterpinoid, apfel acid. While fruit contains amino acids (tryptophan, lysine), calcium, phosphorus, iron, sulfur, vitamin A, B1, and C, however, guava leaf not common to consume and only used as part of herbal medicine.

These plants include Myrtaceae family, grown in the lowlands to the highlands 1,200 meters above sea level; in loose soil to clay soils, especially in open areas and plenty of water.

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Lansium domesticum ( Duku - Indonesia, Malay, Burmese)

Duku (Lansium domesticum) is a type of tropical fruit that grow primarily in Southeast Asia region. In Indonesia, Malaysia and Burma this fruits have the same name. Duku is a popular fruit and a favorite in the subcontinent. Sweet taste with a lot of water content is a perfect blend to be enjoyed in tropical climates that tend to heat. Duku fruit, relatively inexpensive and easily found everywhere, especially at harvest time.

Lansium domesticum

There are several different varieties of Duku, such Kokosan, Langsat in Indonesia, Langsat, lansa, langseh, langsep in Malay, Langsad and longkong in Thailand and some others varieties. Duku also be found in some South American countries like Suriname and Puerto Rico, except in South Asia such as India and Sri Lanka.

Duku, as is generally the other tropical fruits was originally a species that grows in the forest. However, due to the fruit popularity and economic value,   now planned cultivation already done.

Duku color is green when young and  becomes ivory colored when old, can be eaten without any further process. Soft and thin skinned, slightly oval-shaped with a length between 2 to 3 cm.

Scientific classification

• Kingdom      : Plantae
• Division       : Magnoliophyta
• Class            : Magnoliopsida
• Order            : Sapindales
• Family         : Meliaceae
• Genus          : Lansium
• Species        : L. domesticum

Read Alsp: Velvet Apples (Diospyros blancoi)

Nutrition

Nutrition for every 100 grams of fruit duku calories contained 70 cal, 1.0 g protein, 0.2 g fat, 13 g carbohydrates, 0.7 g minerals, 18 mg calcium, phosphorus 9 mg and 0.9 mg of iron. For the calorie content, mineral and iron duku level higher than that of content of apples or content of oranges.

Economic Prospect

Duku

Duku is very popular in Indonesia and Malaysia, this is one of the favorite fruit among the other tropical fruits at those countries. In Indonesia, especially on the islands of Sumatra and Java, duku has been cultivated as a production crop by local farmers. But unfortunately this agricultural process is still carried out in a traditional way. So the results depend on the season.

Because of this way of farming, this fruit which is rich in nutrition, sweet and very refreshing, so far has only become local consumption, has not become a promising inter-country trade. Duku will definitely be liked by many people if it is introduced more widely and its potential market is taken seriously.

This tree is a hardwood, so it is possible to make various tools and it can also be used as a good building material. Duku trees will be cut down when they are old and no longer productive. Unfortunately, the beneficial content of this valuable wood is often considered only as waste and turned into firewood. Of course you can see from the  business point of view, how this commercial value is wasted.

Read also: Gnetum Gnemon

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Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis)

Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis), is the geographical origin and spread of South America and Central America. However, has been widely planted in the southern United States since prehistoric times, and have been found at archaeological sites in Mexico dated 3000 years BC. Now this bean has been commonly grown throughout the tropics.

The legume seeds produce a kind of bean that can be used as a source of vegetable protein can be processed in various types of processed foods, although presently, cultivation is not so intensive.

Characteristic of the tree:

Jack bean can adapt well in the humid tropics, but also can survive in periods of drought. These beans can be grown in areas with an annual rainfall ranges from 700-4000 mm. Although Jack bean is a low-lying plant but can also be grown at altitudes up to 1800 m., Best growth in full sunlight but have moderate shade tolerance. These beans tolerant to a variety of soil conditions including acid and covers a land area of arid tropics but are less affected by lack of water or salt content compared with other nuts.

Liana short-lived annual with a deep root system, or creeping shrub with twisted lengths of up to 2-3 m. Accordance with age, stems become woody. Branching growth on the lowest book and some secondary branches also grow.

Leaves alternate, consisting of 3 strands, 11-17 cm long petiole; leaves oblong-shaped round eggs, measuring 5-20 cm x 3-12 cm, tapered or rounded and taper at the top, rarely covered with short hairs on both surfaces , the veins appear and spy nets.

Mauve colored flower to purple, or sometimes white, came out with bunches in the armpit with a swell book which underpins 1-3 flowers on long flower stalks with 2-5 mm. Stems 10-35 cm long bunches, bunches up to 20 cm long, oblong pods, measuring 15-35 cm x 3-3.5 cm, containing 8-20 seeds, each valve with rib hem and there is an extra rib underneath. Seeds elliptical, measuring approximately 21 mm x 15 mm x 10 mm, ivory or white, with long brown hilum 6-9 mm.

Benefits of Jack Bean:

These beans are traditionally used as animal feed, the tree is widely planted as a cover crop, or planted for green manure in rotation with other crops. For fodder, the beans are usually dried before it is given as a livestock feed and can also be stored for inventory. Ripened seeds, then ground and used as a solid food at the farm. Half- ripe seeds are mixed with grain used to feed livestock in Hawaii.

Young seeds and pods are used as a vegetable for human food. 

Mature seeds with boiled or baked foods commonly eaten as tasty in Indonesia, but excluding Japan and tropical Asia, this species are now grown as crops for human food, although the numbers are still small. Seeds are usually burned and ground as coffee mixture. In Indonesia, flowers and young leaves steamed and used as flavorings. Urease is distilled from the seeds is used in the analysis in the laboratory. In Indonesia and China, beans and peas are heated and used as a medicine has been alleged that some of the basic content of the beans may be used for treatment purposes or for pest control.

The common Jack bean is also a source of the lectin concanavalin A, which is used as a reagent in glycoprotein biochemistry and immunology.

There are a lot of benefits we can get from this kind of fruit. Of course economic value can be calculated along with those fact.

Scientific classification:

• Kingdom: Plantae (plants).
• Subkingdom: Tracheobionta (vascular plants).
• Superdivisio: Spermatophyta (plants that produce seeds).
• Division: Magnoliophyta (plants with flowers).
• Class: Magnoliopsida (dashed two plants / dicots).
• Sub-class: Rosidae.
• Order: Fabales.
• Familia: Fabaceae (legumes tribe).
• Genus: Canavalia.
• Species:  Canavalia ensiformis

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Yardlong Bean (Vigna unguiculata sesquipedalisis)

Yardlong Bean (Vigna unguiculata sesquipedalisis) a plant used as a vegetable or vegetable dish. He grew up with by climbing or twining. Yardlong beans are used as vegetables or fresh fruit when it is still young and the fibers are soft, long beans are easily found in the tropical territory of Asia, especially in South East Asia Region.

Yardlong Bean

Yardlong Bean (Vigna unguiculata sesquipedalisis is known as dau gok in Cantonese, jiang dou (豇豆) in Standard Mandarin, Thua Fak yao (ถั่วฝักยาว) in Thailand and Kacang Panjang in Indonesia and Malay, Sitaw in Tagalog, Ilokano utong in Bora in the West Indies and vali, Borboti in Bengali, India, eeril in Goa, India or đậu đũa (Vietnamese, literally: chopstick bean).

Scientific classification:

• Kingdom            : Plantae
• Division              : Magnoliophyta
• Class                   : Magnoliopsida
• Order                  : Fabales
• Family                : Fabaceae
• Subfamily           : Faboideae
• Genus                  : Vigna
• Species                : V. unguiculata
• Upaspesies          : V. u. sesquipedalis

Ready to consume

Food value:

Yardlong beans are a good source of protein, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, iron, phosphorus, and potassium, and a very good source for vitamin C, folate, magnesium, and manganese.

Nutrient content values ​​Beans length per 100 g (3.5 oz) (Raw)

Energy 196 kJ (47 kcal)

Carbohydrates 8 g

Dietary fiber 3.6 g

Fat 0 g

Protein 3 g

             (Source: USDA Nutrient database)

In the portion size of 100 grams yardlong beans there are 47 calories, 0 grams total fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 4 mg sodium (0% daily value), 8 grams of total carbohydrates (2% daily value), and 3 grams of protein (5% daily value ). There is also 17% DV vitamin A, 2% DV iron, 31% DV vitamin C, and 5% DV calcium. (Percent daily values ​​based on a 2000 calorie diet daily values ​​individuals may be higher or lower depending on calorie needs each)

Economic Potential:

The daily use of this fruit is very large in the Southeast Asia region, especially in Malaysia and Indonesia, but there is still no agricultural industry that specifically cultivates it. You know the use of this fruit is every day, both on a household scale or in a restaurant.  So of course you can estimate how much economic potential is associated with these Yard long Beans. Young fruit can be consumed directly as a vegetable or be an important ingredient in various popular culinary.

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Corn or Maize (Zea mays)

Corn or Zea mays or commonly referred to Maize is one of the most important sources of carbohydrates, especially in the western hemisphere. Known, maize has become a staple food of the people of Mexico and Latin America since prehistoric times. From Central America, the plant with the same name of the fruit is then grown to almost all tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world. Currently maize, become an important agricultural business from local, regional to multinational size of scope.

Characteristics of the tree:

Corn is a tropical grass plants is very adaptive to climate change and have a life span of 70-210 days. Corn can grow to a height of 3 meters. Unlike other grain crops, maize is a plant that flowers only males and females separately.

Maximum temperature of the corn crop and the start of the growth phase of development is 18-32 degrees Celsius. Beyond that maize can not be grown or even death. Corn can produce good yields on rainfall 300 mm per month. If less than 300 mm per month will result in damage to the maize crop, however, the factors of soil moisture also resulted in reduced yields.

Root: From an anatomical point of view, the roots of corn plants consisting of the epidermis, ground tissue, and endodermis that surrounding the vascular roots system, vascular system composed of xylem and phloem. The epidermis is composed of cells of elliptic and confrontation with two layers of hypodermis. Being morphologically maize root system consists of seminal roots, coronal, and aerial roots. 

The amount of the main outermost roots is between 20 - 30 pieces. Lateral roots that grow from the main root can reach hundreds with 2.5 to 25 cm long. Botanically maize plants including monocot, the main roots emerge and grow entered into the soil since the seed planted. Root growth slowed when the stems begin to arise out of land and then stop when the corn plant has 3 leaves.

Root growths then continued by growth of adventitious roots that develop in the first segment of maize crop. Adventitious roots are not growing from the radicle, then widened and thickened; the root is then played an important role as an enforcer of plants and absorbing nutrients. Adventitious roots were also found growing in the segment to two and three to the trunk, but its main function is not known with certainty.

Trunk: The trunk-shaped segments. In an old maize plant, the distance between sections will be lower. Stem segments can reach the number of 10-40, corn trunk generally unbranched, and trunk has two functions: as a place where the leaves grow and nutrient exchange. Nutrients carried by vessels called xylem and phloem. Phloem moving in either direction from top to bottom and from bottom to top, phloem is sucrose carrier to all parts of the plant in liquid form. Maize stem color is green, green to yellowish.

Leaf: Anatomy of the leaves of maize plants are relatively similar in characters to the grass that living in mild climate areas (mesophytic grass). Outermost epidermal tissue called the cuticle so that has to be rough. Epidermal tissue always outside, crystalline silica found in some types of leaves that come from different varieties. Crystalline silica is adjacent to the epidermal tissue, which serves as a binder. In the monocot plants such as maize, the leaves do not have the palisade tissue. Each vascular system surrounded by parenchyma tissue that hard but thin. Vascular system surrounded by bundle sheath. Corn is a C4 plant types, C4 plants have a large chloroplast cells and scattered rigidly. Chloroplasts located in the mesophyll leaf, which is located in the center of the leaf tissue.

Leaves are formed from the midrib and leaf (leaf blade and sheath). Leaves emerge from the stem segments, appears parallel to the leaf midrib stems. Leaf midrib brown colored covering almost all the corn stalks. In the early phase of growth, stem and leaves cannot be clearly distinguished. This is because the growing point is still below ground. New leaf can be distinguished by the stem when the leaves first 5 in the growth phase, emerge from the ground. New leaves will appear at the growing point. Growing point maize leaves on stem segments. Maize leaf numbering about 20 strands depending on the variety. In line with the growth of maize, stem diameter increases. Leaf color is green to yellowish green.

Flower, fruits, and seeds:

Flowers: Maize is monoecious plant in which every individual plant has male and female flowers. Male flowers lie at the growing point maize plants. When stalled growth phase, intact form of the female flowers will be obvious. Female flowers located in the center of the plant. Pollination occurs in the cornhusk, which will then develop into maize.

Male flowers found in flower panicles at the end of the plant, while the female flowers are found on maize cobs. Stigma stalk is frayed at the ends of hair that always cob wrapped in cornhusk whose numbers 6-14 strands. In the female flowers, there are a number of splitting hair ends and is quite a lot.

Male flowers have a central spike and a few lateral branches. Each spike has many flowers. The flower is called spikelet. Spikelet carrying pollen. Pollen began flying for 2 days before the female flowers are ready to accept. Escape of pollen from the male flowers will continue for 8 days in which the female flower is ready to receive it.

Female flowers appear on the axis of the leaf area (leaf axis). Not all leaf axis may issue female flowers, only 1 or 2 axis leaves may be the growth of female flower.

On maize plants, female flowers appear on the center of the trunk, female flowers similar to male flowers in the form of hair. Pollen from male flowers tied by a silk or a major part female flower shaped like hair. Pollen then fertilizes the pistil.

Fruit and seeds: Every single tree produces one or two corncobs, depending on variety. Corncobs covered by leaves cornhusk. Cornhusk leaf green when young, turn into yellowish white when the fruit has old, and dry. Corn cobs are located on the top of the first established and generally larger than those at the bottom. Each ear consists of 10-16 seed line whose number is always even.

The combination of cob, seeds and skin cover is commonly known as the fruit of corn. Corn cob length between 8-20 cm, depending on the varieties and cultivation techniques.

Corn seed is a type of cereal, the average weight of between 250-300 mg. Corn kernels are classified as caryopsis, because corn seeds have a perfect embryo structure, as well as the nutrients needed by the new individual candidates for future growth and progress. Endosperm is the largest part of the seeds, consisting of hard and soft endosperm. In addition to the endosperm, there is still a pericarp, and embryo. 

Endosperm starch composed of anhydroglucose compounds, most of which consists of two molecules, namely amylase and amyl pectin, and a small portion of material between.

However, in some types there are variations in the proportion of corn amylase and amyl pectin content. Corn grain endosperm protein consists of several factions, which are classified based on their solubility into albumin (soluble in water), globulin (dissolved in saline), or prolamine zein (soluble in high concentrations of alcohol), and gluten (soluble in alkali). In most of the corn, the proportion of each protein fraction was albumin 3%, 3% globulin, prolamine 60%, and 34% gluten.

Nutrient content:

Corn kernels are rich in carbohydrates. Most are on endosperm. Carbohydrate content can reach 80% of all dry seeds.

Carbohydrates in the form of starch are generally a mixture of amylase and amyl pectin. At glutinous corn, most or all of the starch is amyl pectin. This difference has little impact on the nutritional content, but rather as a means in the processing of foodstuffs. Sweet corn contains lower amyl pectin, but has more sucrose.

Corn nutrient content per 100 grams:

• Calories: 355 Calories
• Protein: 9.2 g
• Fat: 3.9 g
• Carbohydrates: 73.7 g
• Calcium: 10 mg
• Phosphorus: 256 mg
• Ferrum: 2.4 mg
• Vitamin A: 510 SI
• Vitamin B1: 0.38 mg
• Water: 12 g

Business and production:

Corn is not only used as food for humans, feed corn is also a good material for livestock, especially poultry. Corn is now an important agricultural commodities in the world, and is cultivated in many parts of the world, be it in a no tropical to tropical. Plant breeding continues to produce the best quality. In developed countries, the agricultural crops of corn have been held in a modern and large-scale.

The United States, China and Brazil are the world's third-largest producer of corn in the world where overall production has reached more than 700 million tons. Of course, the market demand will continue to increase along with the increasing need for food for humans and livestock.

Corn (Maize) as a source of carbohydrate can be grown in all climates, apparently still exciting to be produced as part of the farm business.

Scientific Classification:

• Kingdom: Plantae (Plants)
• Sub kingdom: Tracheobionta (Vascular Plants)
• Super Division: Spermatophyta (Produces seeds)
• Division: Magnoliophyta (flowering plants)
• Class: Liliopsida (dashed one monocots)
• Sub Class: Commelinidae
• Order: Poales
• Family: Poaceae (grasses tribe)
• Genus: Zea
• Species: Zea mays L.

Sub species:

• Flour corn — Zea mays var. amylacea
• Popcorn — Zea mays var. everta
• Dent corn  — Zea mays var. indentata
• Flint corn — Zea mays var. indurata
• Sweet corn — Zea mays var. saccharata and Zea mays var. rugosa
• Waxy corn — Zea mays var. ceratina
• Amylomaize — Zea mays
• Pod corn — Zea mays var. tunicata Larrañaga ex A. St. Hil.
• Striped maize — Zea mays var. japonica

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Leucaena leucocephala or Lead Tree

Leucaena leucocephala or Guage (Mexico); wild tamarind (Corozal, Belize); lead tree (Florida); lamtoro (Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea); ipil ipil (Philippines); jumby bean (Bahamas); false koa, koa haole (Hawaii); tangantangan, tangan tangan, talantayan (Guam, Marshall Islands); talntangan, ganitnityuwan tangantan (Yap); tuhngantuhngan, rohbohtin (Kosrae); telentund (Palau); lopa samoa (American Samoa); fua pepe (American Samoa and Samoa); lusina (Samoa); pepe (Niue and Samoa); nito (Cook Islands); siale mohemohe (Tonga); subabul (India); vaivai (Fiji); cassis (Vanuatu); te kaitetua (Kiribati); kay keo dâu (Vietnam), is a kind of shrub of the legume tribes (Leguminosae, legumes), which is often used in reforestation or erosion prevention. Originated from tropical America, this plant has introduced hundreds of years to Southeast Asia.

In Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia's fruit (locally called Leucaena) used as food and herbal medicines, although in limited quantities. The main use of this tree is for reforestation of degraded land and the wood used for firewood.

Characteristic of the tree:

This tree likes warm tropical climate (daily temperature of 25-30 ° C); altitudes above 1000 m asl may inhibit growth. This plant is fairly drought-tolerant and can be planted everywhere, including in areas with rainfall between 650-3000 mm (optimal 800-1500 mm) per year. However, these plants can not grow in standing water.

Can be grown in any soil condition, easy to adapt to the local climate, easily propagated by seeds that are old, stem cuttings, and with the removal of saplings. Because it is easy to grow, in many places often become rampant weeds. This plant was easy to grow; once pruned, felled or burned, bud-shoots will grow back in large quantities.

Trees or tall shrubs to 20 m; although most only about 2-10 m. Low and much branched, with brownish or grayish, nodule and have lenticels. Branches round the piston, with the tip of the hair tightly.

The leaves are compound and pinnate shaped copies, numbered 3-10 pairs of fins, mostly with glands on the leaf axis, just before the base of the bottom fin; the leaves fulcrum is small, triangular shape. Leaflets 5-20 pairs of each fin, face, the shape is elongated line, 6-16 mm × 1-2 mm, with a pointed tip and base is sloping (not equal), its surface is smooth-haired and frayed edges. The Leaves are bloom at night and closes its leaves at noon.

The flowers are compound form of long-stemmed excrescence, which gathered in panicles contain 2-6 excrescence; each nodule composed of 100-180 flowers, forming white or yellowish balls 12-21 mm in diameter, on top of the stalk 2-5 cm long. Flowers small, amounted respectively-5 for each; petal tube toothed short bell shape, about 3 mm, crown shape, lk. 5 mm, loose-loose. Stamen 10 strands, about 1 cm, separated.

Ribbon-shaped fruit pods straight, flat, and thin, 14-26 cm × 2 cm, with the boundaries between the grains. Green colors of the outer skin and finally greenish brown or dark brown when dry and when ripe the skin covering the seeds will break itself. Each pod contains 15-30 pieces of Leucaena leucocephala seed that lies crosswise in legumes, egg-shaped round eggs breech or upside down, with shiny dark brown color measuring 6-10 mm × 3 to 4.5 mm. The seeds resemble petai fruit, but smaller.

Utilization:

Leaves, flower buds and young pods ordinary engulfed in raw or cooked first. In some parts of Indonesia, the seeds are roasted as a coffee substitute parents, with aroma of coffee tougher. The seeds are already quite old, but not blackened, used as a kind of mixture of local salad there. Young fruit can also be used as a vegetable. The seeds can also be processed into soy substitute with soy nutrition are almost equal. The leaves are also often used as mulch and green manure, the leaves of this tree is decomposed quickly in soil.

The trunk is highly preferred as a wood fire, because it has a calorific value of 19,250 kJ / kg, with a slow burn and produce less smoke and ash. Wood charcoal is very good quality, with a calorific value of 48,400 kJ / kg. Solid wood is included for quickly growing tree size (density of 500-600 kg / m³) and wet wood moisture content between 30-50%, depending on age. The wood is fairly easily drained with good results, and easily processed. Unfortunately, that rarely has a big trunk size; boles are generally short and many knots, because this tree was much branching. The wood is reddish or golden brown, medium textured, hard enough and strong as wood furnishings, furniture, poles or floor coverings.

The leaves and young twigs of this tree utilized as an animal feed and a good source of protein, especially for ruminants. The leaves have a level of 60 to 70% digestion in ruminants, the highest among the types of legumes and other tropical forage

Scientific classification:

• Kingdom: Plantae (Plants)
•       Subkingdom: Tracheobionta (Vascular Plants)
•           Super Division: Spermatophyta (Produces seeds)
•               Division: Magnoliophyta (flowering plants)
•                   Class: Magnoliopsida (dashed two / dicots)
•                       Sub Class: Rosidae
•                           Order: Fabales
•                               Family: Fabaceae (legumes tribe)
•                                   Genus: Leucaena
•                                       Species: Leucaena leucocephala

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Fijian longan or Island lychee (Pometia pinnata)

Pometia Pinnata

Fijian longan or Island lychee (Pometia pinnata) is a kind of tropical fruit come front South East Asia and Pacific Islands as their origin habitat. Now Pamotia Pinnata grows concentrated in Papua Island and has it local name Matoa. This tree product a sweet and nice fruit named the same with its tree Fijian Logan or Matoa.

The taste of this fruit is combination between Lychee and Durian, two kinds of fruits that is the favorite in South East Asia regions. Even though has its very nice taste, so far this fruit is not yet popular outside the area of grown. Even in Indonesia, where Matoa grow, many people are not familiar. So far, this fruit tree is not yet widely cultivated and is still a forest crop. The reason may be the reason why Matoa not well known, even in their growing area. Once again, this fruit has a unique flavor, fresh sweet and deliciously scented.

Characteristic of the tree:

The tree

Matoa (Pometia pinnata) is a typical fruit tree of Papua, relatively large trees with an average height of 18 meters with an average maximum diameter of 100 cm. Generally fruiting once a year. Flowering in July to October and fruiting 3 or 4 months later.

Matoa fruit spread in Papua are in almost all regions of the plains to a height of ± 1200 m ASL. It grows well in areas that dry soil conditions (not flooded) with a thick layer of soil. Climate needed for good growth is climate with high rainfall (> 1200 mm / year).

This plant is easy to adapt to hot or cold conditions. This tree is also resistant to insects, which generally spoil the fruit. The wood is rather hard to be made for building materials such as windows, doors, flooring and others. Seedling propagation of plants through seeds. Plants started to bear fruit at the age of 7-8 years after planting.

Taproot. The leaves are large, the form are round to elongated round , leaves bones protruding down, flat edge. Stems up to 1 m. Leafy compound, leaves are arranged alternate, , 4-12 pairs of leaflets. When young leaves are bright red, having grown into a green, oblong shape, length 30-40 cm, width of 8-15 cm. 

Read also: Sapodilla (Manilkara zapota)

Compound flower and grows from the stalk tip, the form of flower is funnel. Round flower stalk, short, green, with petal-haired, green color. The stamens are short but the amount is a lots, white color. White-stalk, rounded base, white with a crown composed 3-4 strands of ribbon-shaped, yellow.

The Fruit:

Fijian Longan or Matoa

Round or oval fruit along 5-6 cm, the outer skin is smooth the color when the fruit ripe are yellowish green, yellow or red to black (depending on variety). Meat mushy fruit, white to yellowish, with a thickness varying from thin to thick. Round seed shape, light brown to blackish.

Sweet fruit flavors with aromas of fruit such as durian, the fruit has a lot of water, similar to litchi fruit. Clustered fruit in the fruit stalk. Each stem of the fruit contains 23-76 pieces weighing between 0,5 - 1,0 kg. Island lychee fruit rich with vitamin C and vitamin E, those nutrients serves among other as an antioxidant.

Scientific classification:

• Kingdom: Plantae (plants)
• Subkingdom: Tracheobionta (vascular)
• Super Division: Spermatophyta (produce seed)
• Division: Magnoliophyta (flowering)
• Class: Magnoliopsida (dashed two / dicots
• Sub-class: Rosidae
• Order: Sapindales
• Family: Sapindaceae
• Genus: Pometia
• Species: Pometia pinnata, Pometia acuminata and Pometia coreaceae.

Economic and Ecological Value.

Matoa fruit has promising economic prospects as a productive fruit crop. But unfortunately the business prospects of this fruit are still not being worked out in a large and planned manner. Along with the prospect of economic value, this fruit also contains ecological value for the improvement of the environment and ecosystem.

As a delicious fruit to consume, Fijian Longan also contains quite large amounts of vitamins C and E, as well as several other anti-oxidant elements. This can be an alternative for the world to add to the treasury of natural healthy foods. The need for tropical fruits is of course very large globally, this is the main factor why I put the economic prospects of this fruit into consideration.

Timber has many benefits, but now the use of forest wood will always be accompanied by environmental issues. Utilization of forest wood will go hand in hand with forest destruction if it is carried out carelessly without taking into account the sustainability of the forest as the lungs of the world and the guardian of fresh water supplies.

As I mentioned above, the Fujian Longan tree is a good hardwood to use for wood needs, sure if it is commercialized by observing the principles of a sustainable plantation industry, both economically and ecologically.

So far, especially in Papua Island as one of the biggest producers of this fruit, Matoa fruit is still mostly obtained as forest products and derived from wild or semi-wild plants. Of course, as a potential fruit that has not been glimpsed by the big plantation industries, the fruit production so far is still far from its true potential.

Read Alsp: Marian Plum - Bouea macrophylla Griffith

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Pare (Bitter Lemon)

Pare (Momordica charantia) or Bitter Melon is a vine and Asia tropical origin, especially the western India, namely Assam and Burma. Tribesmen pumpkin or Cucurbitaceous  commonly cultivated for use as a vegetable and a medicinal.In East Asian countries, such as Japan, Korea, and China, bitter melon is used for the medical treatment, among others, as a cure indigestion, pep drinks, laxatives and vomiting, and even has been extracted and packaged in capsules as herbal medicine.

While in Indonesia, bitter melon is very popular and become part of the basic materials for variety of culinary dishes. Pare though has bitter taste, treated more as a vegetable than a fruit.

Characteristics of the tree:  

Bitter lemon is a type of vine, with long fruit shape and tapered at the ends, and jagged surface. Bitter lemon grows well in the lowlands, but can be found growing wild in wastelands, dry land, cultivated, or planted in the garden with propagated in the fence, these plants grow vines or climbing the spiral tendrils, much branched, smells bad and ribbed stems. Single leaf, stemmed and located alternate, elliptic, with a length of 3.5 to 8.5 cm, width 4 cm, sharing a 5-7, heart shaped base and dark green. Flowers are single flower, androgynous in a tree, long-stemmed, yellow crown.

This plant has a high adaptability, able to adapt to different climates. Can grow well in high rainfall, grows throughout the year and not depending on the season. Requires a good drainage. Require loose soil and contains a lot of organic matter. Requires a soil pH between 5-6.  Height between 1 meter to 1500 meters above sea level.

Fruit begins to grow after 1.5 months of age, the fruit can be picked a month later, because commonly  bitter lemon is used as a vegetable  so the fruit will be picked while still young. This tree will continue to produce until the age of 5 months, the harvest will be repeated in intervals of 6-7 days.

The Fruit:

Bitter lemon contains Albiminoid, carbohydrates and dyes leaves contain bitter substances, fatty oils, resins

acids, protein, iron, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, B1 and C. Generally the fruit is dark green, light green and pale green,  depending on the type of varieties and growing locations. Elongated fruit form is almost round like a cucumber, but the outer skin is not smooth, but wrinkled and slightly tapered. It poses the fruit flesh is white when young and when old reddish orange with a lot of seeds. Part of the fruit that consumed by people is the outer skin, this part, when young will be used as vegetable.

Food value:
In accordance with the USDA National Nutrient data base pare every 100 grams contains: Energy 79 kJ (19 kcal), Carbohydrate 4.32 g, Fat 0.18 g, Protein 0.84 g, Water 93.95 g,V itamin A equiv. 6 mg, Thiamine (Vit. B1) 0051mg, Riboflavin (Vit. B2) 0053mg, Niacin (Vit. B3) 0280 mg, 0041 mg Vitamin B6, Folate (Vit. B9) 51 mg, Vitamin C 33.0 mg, 0:14 mg Vitamin E, Vitamin K 4.8 mcg, Calcium 9 mg, 0:38 Iron mg, Magnesium 16 mg, Phosphorus 36 mg, Potassium 319 mg, Sodium 6 mg and Zinc 0.77 mg

Business Prospects:

Pare or bitter melon has a lot of good nutritional value. Usually used for vegetables both raw and processed. The taste of bitter melon is slightly bitter, but behind it is believed that it can be used in herbal therapy to fight several degenerative diseases, such as cancer and diabetes. Indonesians are used to using bitter melon as an herb to reduce diabetes.

Given that pare is a plant that is easy to cultivate, there is nothing wrong if the biological elements contained in this fruit are examined more carefully so that further benefits of this fruit can be ascertained, both as an addition to food and its medical potential.

The widespread use of bitter melon for medical treatment will provide much more wider business opportunities. From upstream to downstream.

Scientific classification:

• Kingdom: Plantae (Plants)
•       Subkingdom: Tracheobionta (Vascular Plants)
•           Super Division: Spermatophyta (Produces seeds)
•               Division: Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
•                   Class: Magnoliopsida (Dashed two / dicots)
•                       Sub Class: Dilleniidae
•                           Order: Violales
•                               Family: Cucurbitaceae
•                                   Genus: Momordica
•                                       Species: Momordica charantia L

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