Gnetum gnemon

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Gnetum gnemon
Gnetum gnemon BotGardBln1105C.JPG
Plant Info
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Gnetophyta
Class: Gnetopsida
Order: Gnetales
Family: Gnetaceae
Genus: Gnetum
Species: G. gnemon

Binomial name
Gnetum gnemon
L.

Gnetum gnemon is a species of Gnetum native to southeast Asia and the western Pacific Ocean islands, from Assam south and east through Malaysia and Indonesia to the Philippines and Fiji. Common names include Melinjo or Belinjo (Indonesian language), Bago (Malay language, Tagalog language), Peesae (Thai language) and Bét, Rau bép, Rau danh or Gắm (Vietnamese language).

It is a small to medium-size tree (unlike most other Gnetum species, which are lianas), growing to 15-20 m tall. The leaves are evergreen, opposite, 8-20 cm long and 3-10 cm broad, entire, emerging bronze-coloured, maturing glossy dark green. The fruit-like strobilus consist of little but skin and a large nut-like seed 2-4 cm long inside.

Uses

 
Gnetum gnemon

The seeds are ground into flour and deep-fried as crackers (keropok). The crackers have a slightly bitter taste and are frequently served as a snack or accompaniment to Indonesian dishes. Template:Commons