Two rare jungle fruits at Botanic Island One

Pandanus affinis with spiky fruits
Location : Botanic Island One

Pandanus affinis at front and in the background is the Anisophyllea disticha.
Location : Botanic Island One

At Botanic Island One recently are seen two species of jungle plants that exhibited their rare fruits.  One is the Pandanus affinis and and secondly the Anisophyllea disticha which the Penans of Sarawak call " Kayu Penahan Badan". I have elsewhere written about the use of the Kayu Penahan Badan as a plant for bodily welfare here.  

Anisophyllea disticha - "Kayu Penahan Badan" ( Penan)

Plant for bodily welfare and vigour - Anisophyllea disticha

Anisophyllea disticha - 'Kayu penahan badan' (Penan), flower buds are deep red and fruits are dark brown..

 Today is the first time that I come across the flower buds of the Anisophyllea disticha or what our Penans of Borneo call ' Kayu Penahan Badan' to mean plant for general body welfare and vigour.  I have preserved a dozen stands of these useful herbal plant in many locations of the park.  This is a small tree that grows to about 6 meters high.  It has charateristics that is interesting as a landscaping plant viz its willow-like branches but looking tidy, small and hardy tree which can grow in shade and open sun.

Anisophyllea disticha, location : Provinsi Rattan

Anisophyllea disticha, location :Botanic Island Two

Among the Penans and Berawans of Sarawak, the roots of this tree are dried and boiled and kept in containers.  They bath their children regularly with the boiled water as herbal treatment for general body welfare and youthful vigour.