| Etymology | Genus | After Mungo Park, a Scottish explorer of Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Handsome or showy | |
| Family | Fabaceae | |
| Synonyms | Inga pyriformis Jungh., Mimosa pedunculata Hunter | |
| Common Names | Petai, Stink Bean, Smelly Bean | |
| Status | Native: Vulnerable | |
| Form | Tree | |
| Native Distribution | Indochina, Malesia | |
Diagnostics:
Parkia speciosa is a common tree species in our Central Catchment Nature Reserves. There aren't many big trees there with bipinnate leaves, so it shouldn't be hard to differentiate. The leaflets are numerous on each stalk and rectangular in shape. Seeing the inflorescence head shaped like a microphone is a definite diagnostic.
Interesting Facts:
The Petai is well known for its edible fruits which is a delicacy for Malays (Corner, 1997). The pods is said to taste of garlic and hence, have a lingering odour after eating it.
A Petai tree emerging from the canopy at the fringe of MacRitchie Reservoir.
The peculiar inflorescence.
Saplings are very abundant along the MacRitchie, Petai Trail.
Bipinnate leaves contain numerous rectangular leaflets.
The Smelly Beans sold in a market in Sarawak.
References
Corner EJH. (1997) Wayside Trees of Malaya. Volume 1. 4th edition. The Malaysian Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur. 476 pp.Author: Siyang
Posted: 2013-07-01 / Modified: 2017-12-25