Edible: CAUTION
An evergreen shrub. It grows to a height of 3-7 m and spreads to 3 m across. The stem is erect and branching. It is hairy when young. The leaves are compound leaves and produced alternately. They are 30-50 cm long and have 5 to 11 leaflets. These are oval but tapering to the tip and with coarse teeth around the edge. The leaflets are 5-8 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. The flowers are purple and small. The fruit are about 5 mm long.
It is a tropical plant. It grows best in rich, moist, well drained soils in a sheltered partly shaded position. It commonly grows along creek banks. It needs a temperature above 15-18°C. It grows up to 1,000 m above sea level in Borneo. In Yunnan.
Common Names: Kusam seeds, Makassar kernel tree, Bhakamilo, Bhakiamilo, Biji makasar, Brucea jawa, Buah Makasar, Hala, Perdu kuwalot, Pohon tongkat ali, Tiuru, Ya dan zi
Synonyms:
Ailanthus gracilis Salisb.;
Brucea amarissima (Lour.) Desv.;
Brucea glabrata Decne;
Brucea gracilis (Salisb.) DC.;
Brucea sumatrana Roxb.;
Brucea sumatrensis Spreng.;
Gonus amarissima Lour.;
Lussa amarissima O. Ktze;
Rhus javanica L. non auct.;