Dracontomelon[1] (Vietnamese: chi sấu[2]) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Anacardiaceae, growing mostly in SE Asia and the Pacific islands. The fruit may be used in local cuisine, especially as souring agents.

Dracontomelon
Fruits of Dracontomelon duperreanum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Anacardiaceae
Subfamily: Spondiadoideae
Genus: Dracontomelon
Blume, 1850.

Species

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Dracontomelon vitienseEspiritu Santo island, Vanuatu.

Reclassified species

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The following are known synonyms:

 
Dracontomelon duperreanum

Culinary Use

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The most commonly eaten species is Dracontomelon duperreanum, which produces an edible fruit that is eaten in Cambodia, Vietnam[2] and China. In Vietnamese, the plant is called cây sấu and is a common urban tree in Hanoi; the fruit is called quả sấu. The fruit is used in Vietnamese cuisine both as a souring agent and a candied treat similar to the Japanese umeboshi. The treat is popular among youths. In Chinese, the fruit is called 仁面.

References

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  1. ^ Blume, Carl L. von (1850) In: Museum Botanicum Lugduno-Batavum sive stirpium Exoticarum, Novarum vel Minus Cognitarum ex Vivis aut Siccis Brevis Expositio et Descriptio (Blume, ed.), 1 [15]: 230-231.
  2. ^ a b Phạm Hoàng Hộ (2003) Cây Cỏ Việt Nam: an Illustrated Flora of Vietnam vol. II publ. Nhà Xuẩt Bản Trẻ, HCMC, VN.
  3. ^ The Plant list (20 January 2018)
  4. ^ GBIF: Dracontomelon petelotii
  5. ^ Dracontomelon pilosum Seem. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
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