Types Of Tree Species In Indonesia #22 Gayam (Inocarpus fagiferus)

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Subdivision: Tracheobionta
• Super Division: Spermatophyta
• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Magnoliopsida
• Sub Class: Rosidae
• Order: Fabales
• Family: Fabaceae
• Genus: Inocarpus
• Species:Inocarpus fagiferus

Gayam is a native plant and originated from Indonesia which then spread widely to many tropical regions in place of Asia Pacific. This plant grows in a humid tropical lowland area to a height of 500 meters above sea level. This plant can grow in even nutrient-poor soils. So the gayam tree is often found growing in swamps, riverside, and on the sandy beach between the mangroves.

Characteristics Gayam

Tall gayam tree can reach 20-meter with stem diameter reach 65 cm. The gayam tree trunk (Inocarpus phagiferus) is often irregularly grooved, sometimes rooted in a hook, with branches ducking. In the skin of the inner trunk contains a red liquid. Appearances sometimes give rise to the impression of haunted and mystical.

Benefits of Gayam

The old and ripe gayam fruit can not be eaten directly. The fruits of Inocarpus phagiferus before eating should be soaked in water then boiled or burned. This cooked gouram is consumed as a snack. Gayam fruit can also be processed products such as emping (gayam chips).