Baccaurea macrocarpa
| Baccaurea macrocarpa | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific name | Baccaurea macrocarpa [1] |
| Common names | Lara [2] |
| Genus | Baccaurea [1] |
| Family | Phyllanthaceae [1] |
| Order | Malpighiales [1] |
| Growth form | Shrub about 5 m to a large tree at least 25 m [2] |
| Native range | Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo [2] |
| Habitat and site | Primary, riverine and swamp rain forest from sea level to 1,600 m [2] |
| Fruit | Golden-yellow spherical fruits, 25–60 mm across, in clusters of 3–5; soft juicy off-white flesh [2] |
| Propagation | Fresh seed; genus-level leads include air layering, budding and grafting [2][3] |
Baccaurea macrocarpa, known as Lara, is a Malesian fruit tree of primary, riverine and swamp rain forest in Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo. It is cultivated in gardens, and its golden-yellow fruit is sold in local markets. [2]
Description[edit | edit source]
The species ranges from a shrub about 5 m tall to a large tree reaching 25 m or more. It occurs from sea level to about 1,600 m in primary, riverine and swamp rain forest, placing it in warm, humid tropical conditions with both forest and wet-site habitat. [2]
The fruit is spherical, golden-yellow when described at maturity, and about 25–60 mm across. Fruits occur in clusters of three to five; the flesh is soft, juicy and off-white. [2]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
Species-level cultivation records place Baccaurea macrocarpa in hot, humid lowland-tropical conditions and report success in granitic sand, sandy clay and red clay. Its native occurrence in riverine and swamp rain forest indicates a regular moisture supply, but those habitats do not establish a fixed irrigation schedule or prove that a container root zone should remain saturated. [2]
As a genus-level cultivation inference, begin with a medium that drains freely while retaining moisture, then adjust irrigation to the plant's growth and the site's drying rate. The related Baccaurea ramiflora is reported from sandy and granite soils and from both well-drained and wetter sites; that comparison supports a flexible starting approach, not a species-specific drainage prescription. [2][3]
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
The species is associated with hot, humid tropical habitats, including primary forest and wet forest settings. A genus-level starting point is bright light with protection from the harshest drying exposure while a young plant establishes; the related Baccaurea ramiflora is reported in full sun with light shade tolerated. No numeric light or humidity threshold is established for Baccaurea macrocarpa. [2][3]
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
Flowering and fruiting are reported throughout the year, consistent with a warm tropical growing cycle rather than a single cool-season crop. In cultivation, treat the local dry season as the period requiring closer moisture attention and the wet season as the period requiring the most vigilance about root-zone drainage; this is a habitat-based management inference, not a measured seasonal schedule for the species. [2]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Fresh seed usually germinates in a few days. Sow seed while fresh rather than treating it as a long-storage seed lot; the prompt-sowing recommendation is a conservative interpretation of the reported germination behavior, not a tested storage protocol. [2]
Air layering, budding and grafting are documented for the related Baccaurea ramiflora and are useful genus-level propagation leads to investigate for Baccaurea macrocarpa. They should not be presented as species-confirmed success methods without a direct trial or species-specific record. [3]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
The species is dioecious, so male and female plants are needed when fruit and seed production is the goal. Flowering and fruiting are reported year-round. [2]
The golden-yellow spherical fruits develop in clusters of three to five and are described at about 25–60 mm across. Harvest timing should follow fruit maturity and local observation rather than a fixed calendar date, because year-round phenology and tropical site conditions can spread production through the year. [2]
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The soft, juicy flesh is off-white and ranges from sweet to sour. The fruit is reported as edible raw and is also cooked, stewed or preserved. [2]
Photos[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Image credits[edit | edit source]
- Baccau macroc F 070202 0134 ime.JPG — fruits sold at a local market in Muara Lawa, Kutai Barat, East Kalimantan; Wibowo Djatmiko (Wie146), CC BY-SA 3.0. File page.
- Baccau macroc F 070203 019 ime.JPG — opened fruits from Kutai Barat, East Kalimantan; Wibowo Djatmiko (Wie146), CC BY-SA 3.0. File page.
- Baccaurea macrocarpa.jpg — herbarium specimens and collection labels; Toshiko Go, CC BY 2.0. File page.
