Petai

Common name: Stink Bean

Malay name: Petai, Nyiring

Scientific name: Parkia speciosa

Conservation status: Least Concern, Cultivated, Native to Malaysia

Description

This tree is 15-45 m tall. Leaves are alternately arranged and branched into smaller leaflets. Flowers are compacted into pear-shaped cluster known as head. Fruits are long, straight or twisted pods that contain up to 18 seeds each. The seed pods are initially pale green and eventually turn blackish. Both flowers and fruits emit a foul odour.

Habit: Perennial tree

Cultivation: It is planted by seeds, buddings or cuttings

Ecological function: The flowers of this tree attract pollinators. Its fruits are food source for animals like birds. It improves nutrients availability in soil by fixing atmospheric nitrogen. It is a shade-providing species that is suitable for agroforestry system.

Pollinator: Bats

Soil: Loam, clay, organic soils

Moisture: Well-drained soils

Shade: Partial shade. It needs increasing light level as it matures

Use: The seeds are edible.