Scaphium macropodum
Scaphium macropodum
The malva nut (Scaphium macropodum (Miq.) Beumée ex K.Heyne 1927) is an arboreal species belonging to the Malvaceae family.
Systematic –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to:
Eukaryota domain,
Kingdom Plantae,
Division Magnoliophyta,
Class Magnoliopsida,
Subclass Dilleniidae,
Malvales Order,
Malvaceae family,
Genus Scaphium,
Species S. macropodum.
The term is basionym:
– Carpophyllum macropodum Miq..
The terms are synonymous:
– Carpophyllium macropodum Miq.;
– Carpophyllum macropodum Miq.;
– Firmiana borneensis Merr.;
– Scaphium borneense (Merr.) Kosterm.;
– Scaphium macropodium (Miq.) Beumée;
– Scaphium macropodium (Miq.) Beumée ex K.Heyne;
– Scaphium macropodum (Miq.) Beumée;
– Sterculia macropoda (Miq.) Hook.;
– Sterculia macropoda (Miq.) Hook. ex Kloppenb..
Etymology –
The term Scaphium comes from the Greek “σκάφος” (scaphos), meaning hull, in reference to the shape of the fruits.
The specific epithet macropodum comes from the two Greek terms “μακρός” (macrόs), i.e. wide, large and “πούς, ποδός” (pus, podόs), i.e. foot.
Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
Scaphium macropodum is a plant native to an area that includes: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia (Kalimantan and Sumatra), Laos, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Its natural habitat is that of mixed dipterocarp, swamp (peat) and submontane forests, usually present on rocky slopes and ridges at altitudes up to 1,200 meters.
Description –
The Scaphium macropodum is a tree that in some areas, such as in South-East Asia, can reach 45 m in height; it is a tree of impressive dimensions, evergreen or deciduous for a short period, erect.
The trunk, 1-1.5 m in diameter, has a grey-brown fissured bark, and is equipped at the base with tabular roots (flattened buttress-like roots that contribute to the support of large trees) up to 2 m in height .
The leaves are arranged in a spiral, carried by a 5-40 cm long petiole; they are variable in shape, palmate, with 3-5 lobes, in young plants, simple in adult plants, ovate-oblong in shape with pointed apex and entire margin, 15-26 cm long and 7-12 cm wide, leathery , with prominent ribs below.
The inflorescences are unisexual panicle-shaped on the same plant, terminal or axillary, 3-20 cm long, compact, pubescent, carrying tiny flowers, about 5 mm in diameter, with a bell-shaped calyx with 5 curved lobes of greenish white colour. Flowering occurs irregularly every 3-4 years.
The fruit is a follicle, up to about 20 cm long and 5 cm wide, initially greenish yellow in colour, then brown when ripe, leafy, dehiscent with a hull shape which facilitates its dispersion by the wind.
Inside there is a single ellipsoid seed placed at the end, 3 cm long and 1.5-2 cm in diameter, wrinkled, brown in colour.
Cultivation –
Scaphium macropodum is an evergreen tree that grows wild in Southeast Asia and from which a popular drink is prepared in Southeast Asia.
The plant mostly grows in its natural state but can be cultivated, especially in its range, provided that its pedoclimatic and solar needs are respected, even if in cultivation it never reaches the size of old forest trees.
This tree reproduces easily by seed, in draining organic soil kept humid at a temperature of 26-28 °C, with the first flowering starting from the seventh year of age, and by layering.
In the initial growth phase, plants need around 50% shade, being particularly sensitive to excessive sunlight.
Customs and Traditions –
Scaphium macropodum is a plant known by various common names; among these are: malva nut (English); samrung, thilaung (Burmese); ta hai tzeh (Chinese); kembang semangkok, kepayang (Indonesian); makjong (Thai); an nam tu, come on hai tu (Vietnamese).
In its natural range it grows spontaneously in rainforests up to around 1200 m above sea level, mainly on rocky soils.
This plant has both food and medicinal uses and for some of the materials it obtains.
It is well known in Indochina for the edible gelatinous mucilage that the seeds, dried in the sun, form after being immersed in water for a few hours and which is used as an ingredient in various dishes or to prepare refreshing drinks with the possible addition of sugar.
Another use, together with the leaves, of this mucilage is in traditional medicine, for various pathologies.
In Malaysia it is used to treat fever, phlegm, cough and sore throat, respiratory conditions and to improve general health.
There is also considerable demand from China, to which part of the seeds collected in the forests is channeled and which constitutes a small source of income for local populations.
Among other uses, it should be remembered that the wood is of good quality and relatively easy to work with, it is used for furniture, internal parts of homes, boxes and in the manufacture of plywood.
The heartwood is light yellow to light brown, with a large silver figure; it is not delimited by the sapwood. The texture is medium; the grain is straight or slightly intertwined. The wood is moderately heavy; moderately hard; somewhat resistant to fungi but susceptible to dry wood borers. It cures quite quickly, with very little risk of cracking and distortion; once dry it is moderately stable to stable in service. It has a high blunting effect, therefore tools with stellite and tungsten carbide tips are recommended; nailing and screwing is good; the gluing is correct. Wood is used in construction, for joinery and panelling, furniture components, boxes and cages, flooring, matches, plywood, veneer etc.
The wood is a source of “kembang semangkok” lumber and is harvested from the wild for local use and trade.
Ecologically the tree is classified as “Least Concern” in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2010).
Preparation Method –
Scaphium macropodum is a plant used for both food and medicinal purposes or for its wood.
The seed, immersed in water overnight, exudes a gum, containing bassrin, to the point of filling a small cup. Very pleasant and healthy, it is used as a refreshing drink, usually mixed with sugar and macerated basil seeds.
In the medicinal field, the gum obtained from the seed, which contains bassrin, is used as a gastric remedy.
The seeds are used to treat diarrhea, dysentery and asthmatic disorders.
The fruits can be used as a cure for fevers.
Guido Bissanti
Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (ed.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora d’Italia, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.
Photo source:
– https://inaturalist.ca/taxa/181381-Scaphium-macropodum
– https://swbiodiversity.org/imglib/seinet/swnode/ASU_Plants/CSP17/CSP17178_lg.jpg
Attention: Pharmaceutical applications and food uses are indicated for informational purposes only, they do not represent in any way a medical prescription; we therefore decline any responsibility for their use for healing, aesthetic or food purposes.