Osmoxylon palmatum (PROSEA)

Plant Resources of South-East Asia Introduction

List of species

Osmoxylon palmatum (Lamk) Philipson

Family: Araliaceae

Synonyms

• Boerlagiodendron palmatum (Zipp. ex Boerl.) Harms.

Vernacular names

• Indonesia: daun gurita, pelenda darat (the Moluccas).

Distribution

Indigenous to the Moluccas and Sulawesi (Indonesia).

Uses

Leaves are eaten as a vegetable. In local medicine they are also applied against gonorrhoea.

Observations

• Small tree up to 15 m tall.
• Leaves clustered near the end of the branches; petiole up to 40 cm long, sheathing at base; leaf-blade palmately 5-9-lobed, in outline up to 45 cm in diameter, lobes elliptical with serrate margins.
• Inflorescence a terminal compound umbel.

An understorey tree in primary rain forest.

Selected sources

7, 44, 91.