Canarium decumanum
| Scientific name | Canarium decumanum |
|---|---|
| Common names | Canarium nut; Kenari |
| Genus | Canarium |
| Family | Burseraceae |
| Order | Sapindales |
| Growth form | Very large evergreen tree with buttressed roots |
| Native range | Malaysia, Indonesia, and New Guinea |
| Climate/site | Warm, humid lowland rainforest; undisturbed forest and secondary-forest remnants |
| Propagation | Seed; germination may be erratic |
| Fruit | Edible seed; species-specific fruit dimensions are not established |
| Harvest | Seed gathered from wild trees and from occasional cultivation |
| Years to fruit | N/A; a supported species-specific value is not established |
Canarium decumanum is a very large Southeast Asian and New Guinean tree in the frankincense and torchwood family, Burseraceae. It is harvested mainly for its edible seed and is also valued locally for resin and wood. The species is associated with warm, humid lowland forest and is only occasionally cultivated for seed.[1][2]
Description[edit | edit source]
Canarium decumanum is an evergreen canopy tree reported to reach about 30–60 m in height. Its straight cylindrical bole may remain unbranched for much of its length, reach roughly 100–200 cm in diameter, and develop very large buttresses.[3] Diagnostic details of its leaves, flowers, and fruit are not established here.
GBIF accepts Canarium decumanum and places it in Burseraceae and Sapindales.[1]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
The species is a canopy tree of undisturbed forest at elevations up to about 100 m, while secondary-forest individuals are generally remnants from before disturbance.[3] A cultivation site should imitate its humid lowland setting with deep, moisture-retentive soil rich in organic matter and reliable drainage. A measured soil-pH range, flooding tolerance, or irrigation schedule is not established, so prolonged waterlogging should not be treated as a tested tolerance or requirement.
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
A mature tree occupies the forest canopy in a warm, humid tropical climate.[3] Young plants should have high atmospheric humidity and protection from drying winds while establishing. A precise shade-to-sun requirement is not established; filtered light during establishment followed by ample overhead space is a cautious interpretation of its canopy habit, not a measured exposure trial.
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
The warm, humid evergreen-forest habitat does not establish a species-specific flowering season, dry-season dormancy, or annual harvest calendar. Keep root-zone moisture steady during establishment and adjust irrigation to rainfall rather than imposing a fixed seasonal schedule. Fruit and seed production is not documented well enough to state a universal bearing season or years-to-fruit value.
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Propagation is by seed, but species-specific germination information is limited. Seeds of Canarium generally have hard coats and may germinate erratically; carefully abrading part of the seed coat without injuring the embryo is described as a way to improve water entry and promote faster, more even germination.[4] Sow fresh, cleaned seed promptly in a moist, well-drained medium and do not allow it to dry. A dependable age of first fruiting has not been established. The species account describes it as dioecious, so both male and female trees are needed when seed or fruit production is intended.[4]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
Species-specific flowering and fruiting timing, fruit size, and external maturity signs are not sufficiently documented. The tree is harvested from the wild for its edible seed and is sometimes cultivated for that purpose, particularly in Java.[3] Harvest and post-harvest handling should follow local knowledge for confirmed plantings; a general maturity index or universal harvest month is not established.
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The edible part documented for this species is the seed.[5] The tree also yields resin, and its wood is used occasionally; wood from Canarium species is generally described as soft to moderately hard and of limited durability in exposed positions, making use primarily local rather than a universal commercial recommendation.[3] No medicinal use or known hazard is established for this species, but that absence is not modern clinical safety evidence.[3]
References[edit | edit source]
Image credits[edit | edit source]
No image included. Commons media leads were not used because individual subject and rendered-image verification remains unresolved.