and the related longan (Dimocarpus longan) are sold regionally. Balam suntai/suntai
(Payena leerii) is mainly known for its latex, but also produces edible and readily
sold fruits (sawo). Kemunting (myrtaceous Rhodomyrtus tomentosa) has edible
berries, while water apple or jambu air (Syzygium aqueum) is readily sold throughout Southeast Asia and sea bilberry (Vaccinium bracteatum) produces edible (and
locally marketed) berries (Verheij and Coronel 1992). Santol (Sandoricum koetjape)
is used as a shade tree and for ornament, but its fruit is also widely traded, being
eaten raw, or processed into jams and chutneys (Soetisna et al. 2005).
47 PSF plant species are consumed as vegetables in Indonesia, at least five
species of which are commonly sold in local markets and considered of economic
value (Simonsma and Piluek 1994). These include the swamp fern (Stenochlaena
palustris), whose young, reddish fronds are often consumed (and are also used for
medicinal purposes) and kangkong or floating morning glory (Ipomoea aquatica/
Ipomoea repens), which is widely consumed throughout Southeast Asia. The palm
heart (inner core and growing bud) of the fishtail palms (Caryota mitis and Caryota
urens) is locally popular, while balsam pear or peparé (Momordica charantia), a
member of the cucumber family, is widely marketed throughout South and Southeast
Asia. These five species are listed by PROSEA as being of major economic use
(Siemonsma and Piluek 1994). In addition to these five, the fern Nephrolepis
biserrata is often cited as a popular vegetable (Salleh and van den Berg 2004).
16 Indonesian PSF species have a recorded use as spice. Flowers of the palm
called nibung (Oncosperma tigillarium) are used to make steamed rice more fragrant, while “teki bulbs” (swollen root bases of the sedge of Cyperus rotundus
species) are used for medicinal purposes, but also as a spice in food. Cinnamomum
rhynchophyllum and Myristica cinnamomea are used in various dishes for their
cinnamon-like fragrance. The creamy latex of Artocarpus kemando species is used
in cooking, often as a creamy thickener, but also to add flavor to the dish. Fruits of
Scorodocarpus borneensis species strongly smell like garlic (as do all parts of this
tree) and are used as a surrogate garlic on occasions. Young leaves of Urophyllum
arboreum species have a clove-like aroma and are used to spice food. Fatty nuts such
as candlenut or kemiri (Aleurites moluccana) is used to flavor cookings. Daun salam
(Syzygium polyanthum) with its fragrant leaves is listed as having a major use as a
spice (de Guzman and Siemonsma 1998).
15 PSF species are used for extracting starch, seven of which are listed by
PROSEA as having a major use (Flach and Rumawas 1996). Wild mango
(Mangifera caesia) seeds are dried, rasped, and eaten as a starch rich food. “Runners” (rhizomes) of the fern Nephrolepis biserrata are dried and pounded, and
reportedly eaten as a sago substitute on Kimaam Island, off Southwestern Papua
(Heyne 1950). Ripe seeds of Artocarpus elasticus are roasted and eaten as a snack,
especially in Eastern Java. A type of sago is derived from the trunks of Caryota palm
species in Kalimantan and Sarawak especially in times of famine. Ripe seeds of the
euphorbia Shirakiopsis indica (Sapium indicum) are sweet, starchy content of which
is eaten as a snack. The edible corm (swollen underground part of stem) of the sedge
dubbed as water chestnut or purun tikus (Eleocharis dulcis) has long been valued
14 Tropical Peatland Restoration in Indonesia by Replanting with Useful Indigenous. . .
415
(Payena leerii) is mainly known for its latex, but also produces edible and readily
sold fruits (sawo). Kemunting (myrtaceous Rhodomyrtus tomentosa) has edible
berries, while water apple or jambu air (Syzygium aqueum) is readily sold throughout Southeast Asia and sea bilberry (Vaccinium bracteatum) produces edible (and
locally marketed) berries (Verheij and Coronel 1992). Santol (Sandoricum koetjape)
is used as a shade tree and for ornament, but its fruit is also widely traded, being
eaten raw, or processed into jams and chutneys (Soetisna et al. 2005).
47 PSF plant species are consumed as vegetables in Indonesia, at least five
species of which are commonly sold in local markets and considered of economic
value (Simonsma and Piluek 1994). These include the swamp fern (Stenochlaena
palustris), whose young, reddish fronds are often consumed (and are also used for
medicinal purposes) and kangkong or floating morning glory (Ipomoea aquatica/
Ipomoea repens), which is widely consumed throughout Southeast Asia. The palm
heart (inner core and growing bud) of the fishtail palms (Caryota mitis and Caryota
urens) is locally popular, while balsam pear or peparé (Momordica charantia), a
member of the cucumber family, is widely marketed throughout South and Southeast
Asia. These five species are listed by PROSEA as being of major economic use
(Siemonsma and Piluek 1994). In addition to these five, the fern Nephrolepis
biserrata is often cited as a popular vegetable (Salleh and van den Berg 2004).
16 Indonesian PSF species have a recorded use as spice. Flowers of the palm
called nibung (Oncosperma tigillarium) are used to make steamed rice more fragrant, while “teki bulbs” (swollen root bases of the sedge of Cyperus rotundus
species) are used for medicinal purposes, but also as a spice in food. Cinnamomum
rhynchophyllum and Myristica cinnamomea are used in various dishes for their
cinnamon-like fragrance. The creamy latex of Artocarpus kemando species is used
in cooking, often as a creamy thickener, but also to add flavor to the dish. Fruits of
Scorodocarpus borneensis species strongly smell like garlic (as do all parts of this
tree) and are used as a surrogate garlic on occasions. Young leaves of Urophyllum
arboreum species have a clove-like aroma and are used to spice food. Fatty nuts such
as candlenut or kemiri (Aleurites moluccana) is used to flavor cookings. Daun salam
(Syzygium polyanthum) with its fragrant leaves is listed as having a major use as a
spice (de Guzman and Siemonsma 1998).
15 PSF species are used for extracting starch, seven of which are listed by
PROSEA as having a major use (Flach and Rumawas 1996). Wild mango
(Mangifera caesia) seeds are dried, rasped, and eaten as a starch rich food. “Runners” (rhizomes) of the fern Nephrolepis biserrata are dried and pounded, and
reportedly eaten as a sago substitute on Kimaam Island, off Southwestern Papua
(Heyne 1950). Ripe seeds of Artocarpus elasticus are roasted and eaten as a snack,
especially in Eastern Java. A type of sago is derived from the trunks of Caryota palm
species in Kalimantan and Sarawak especially in times of famine. Ripe seeds of the
euphorbia Shirakiopsis indica (Sapium indicum) are sweet, starchy content of which
is eaten as a snack. The edible corm (swollen underground part of stem) of the sedge
dubbed as water chestnut or purun tikus (Eleocharis dulcis) has long been valued
14 Tropical Peatland Restoration in Indonesia by Replanting with Useful Indigenous. . .
415