Calophyllum inophyllum L.

Tamanu (Calophyllum inophyllum) is a wide-canopied tree up to 8-20 meters tall of the Calophyllaceae family, distributed from East Africa to the Pacific Islands and South America, generally growing in swamps or along Nusantara coastlines. Its strong taproot makes it effective as a wave and wind breaker, while its wood is used for boat-building. Traditionally, tamanu is also believed to address acne, boils, and skin rashes.

Grows well in well-drained, mineral-rich soil, pH between (4-7.4), elevations >200 m above sea level but can adapt up to 350 m above sea level, with rainfall between 1,000-4,000 mm/year, average temperature of 18-33 °C.

• Roots taproot, round, and brown.
• Trunk gray to white bark with horizontal branching.
• Leaves simple, ovate with one blade per node, arranged alternately opposite, 10-21 cm long and 6-11 cm wide.
• Flowers grow at the stem tip, compound, raceme-shaped with a whitish-yellow corolla, and 4 sepals.
• Fruit bullet-shaped with a pointed tip, green turning yellowish when ripe.
• Seeds 2-4 cm in diameter, brown when dry.

Propagated by planting seeds or seedlings beneath the parent stand, and by stem cuttings or air layering.

Xanthones, coumarins (calophyllolide A-E), triterpenoids, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, polyphenols, carotenoids, essential oil, sitosterol.

Has antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and anti-HIV activity; addresses acne-prone skin and boils; treats skin rashes, leg swelling, and wounds.

Not yet available.

Cimplong, Penago.