Archidendron ellipticum
Archidendron ellipticum
Safety & Hazards
The branchlets are sometimes hollow and inhabited by ants, very often by fierce red tailor-ants that will quickly attack anything (including humans) that disturbs the tree[1]. The roots are used as a fish poison[1]. Although we have no specific information for this species, the seeds of several other members of this genus contain the amino acid derivative djenkolic acid. Ingestion of seed containing this substance can cause the formation of sharp needle-like crystals of djenkolic acid in the kidney or urinary tract. In severe cases, crystals of djenkolic acid have been found in urine. Indeed, people who are suffering from djenkolism show similar symptoms to those suffering from kidney or urinary stones, a condition for which it has been frequently mistaken[2].
Cultivation Details
A plant of the moist, lowland tropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 600 metres. Trees can flower and fruit all year round[3]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[4].
Propagation
Seed - Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-19. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Archidendron+ellipticum>
Pollinators
Data unavailable
References
- [1]Flora Malesiana Series 1 — Various · Nationaal Herbarium Nederiand, Universiteit Leiden branch · http://www.archive.org ↩︎A massive treatment of the plants of the Malaysian Archipelago. Much of it has been made available to download from the Internet
- [2]Under-Utilized Tropical Fruits of Thailand. RAP — Suranant Subhadrabandhu · F. A. O., The United Nations, Bangkok. · 2001 · http://www.fao.org/3/a-ab777e.pdf ↩︎A detailed report on 35 fruit species that could have potential for increased production in Thailand. The report can be downloadd as a PDF from the internet.
- [3]Trees of Laos and Vietnam - A Field Guide to 100 species. — Hoang Van Sam; Khamseng Nanthavong; Kessler P.J.A. · Blumea · 2004 ↩︎A detailed guide, with excellent line-drawings, to 100 of the more important trees of Laos and Vietnam. A very good work, giving lots of information about each plant. Originally published in the journal Blumea, it is available as a PDF on the Interne
- [4]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [5]Plants of Southeast Asia — http://www.asianplant.net/ ↩︎Excellent site with brief information on the plant, its range, habitat and uses, plus phots of specimens, close-ops of flowers and leaves etc,
- [6]Medicinal Plants of Kadazandusun, Malaysia. — Julius Kulip; Sining Unchi; George Majawat. · Forestry Research Centre, Sabah · http://www.borneofocus.com/saip/vaic/R&D/article13.htm ↩︎A report from the Forestry Research Centre at Sabah, listing the plants that are used medicinally by local peoples. Very brief list of Botanical names and uses. Also published on the internet.
- [7]Five hundred plant species in Gunung Halimun Salak National Park, West Java — Hari Priyadi et al · Center for International Forestry Research; Indonesia. · 2010 · http://www.cifor.cgiar.org · ISBN 978-602-8693-22-6 ↩︎Brief details of the uses of 500 Indonesian plants. It is available as a PDF document to download from the internet.