Litsea glutinosa C.B. Rob.

A small to medium-sized tree up to 20 m tall, bole straight or curved, up to 60 cm in diameter, not buttressed, bark surface greyish-brown, inner bark yellowish. Leaves arranged spirally, 10-30 cm x 3-13.5 cm, blunt or rounded, hairy on main veins above, yellowish hairy below, midrib raised or flattened above, with 6-11 pairs of secondary veins which are not sunken above, tertiary venation prominent below, petiole 1-3.5 cm long. Flowers in umbellules arranged in racemes on a 0.7-2.5 cm long peduncle, with 0-3 tepals and 9-15 stamens. Fruit depressed globose or globose, 1-2.5 cm across. Several varieties have been distinguished, but their status is uncertain.

L. glutinosa in Peninsular Malaysia flowers annually in February and March.

L. glutinosa is found in mixed primary and secondary forest and thickets.

Distribution From India through Indo-China towards the Malesian area where it occurs in all parts, and northern Australia; sometimes planted.

Germination is not very rapid, approximately 85% germination is achieved in 15-45 days.

Essential oils: The seeds contain an aromatic oil which has been used to make candles and soap. Fibre: The roots yield fibres used in Thailand for rope manufacture and for paper pulp. Food: The fruits have a sweet creamy edible pulp. Fodder: The young leaves are eaten by livestock. Medicine: The pounded seeds are also applied medicinally against boils. The leaves and the mucilage in the gum from the bark have been used for poultices. The bark also acts as a demulcent and mild astringent in diarrhoea and dysentery.