Canarium odontophyllum – Nutritional Value, Health Benefits

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Article Summary

Canarium odontophyllum is a fruit-bearing tree of the genus Canarium in the family Burseraceae. It is a native of Borneo, where it is locally known as dabai in Sarawak and kumbaya in Sabah and Brunei. It grows up to a height of 40 to 50 meters. Its fruit is a prized seasonal delicacy in Sarawak. The outer skin is glossy black colour while the flesh is yellow with an elongated seed. The fruit is hard and inedible when ripe...

Key Takeaways

  • This article explains Kembayau Scientific Classification in simple medical language.
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Definition

Canarium odontophyllum is a fruit-bearing tree of the genus Canarium in the family Burseraceae. It is a native of Borneo, where it is locally known as dabai in Sarawak and kumbaya in Sabah and Brunei. It grows up to a height of 40 to 50 meters. Its fruit is a prized seasonal delicacy in Sarawak. The outer skin is glossy black colour while the flesh is yellow with an elongated seed. The fruit is hard and inedible when ripe and must be soaked in warm water before eating. It tastes of avocado and is seasoned with salt or soy sauce.

Being in the same genus as the Pili nut (Canarium ovatum) the seeds are also edible, and similar to almonds or pistachios. [rx]

Kembayau Quick Facts
Name: Kembayau
Scientific Name: Dacryodes rostrata
Origin The species is found in Indo-China, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Borneo (Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah, West-, Central- and East-Kalimantan) and the Philippines.
Colors Yellow-brown to purplish black
Shapes Ovoid to oblongoid
Flesh colors Yellow

Dacryodes rostrata is an evergreen tree usually growing 5 – 25 meters tall, but with some specimens up to 35 meters. The bole is usually 20 – 50 cm in diameter, occasionally to 120 cm. The tree is harvested from the wild for its edible fruit, timber, and resin. It is occasionally cultivated for its fruit. It grows widely in Vietnam and Western Malaysia. The habitat is mixed dipterocarp forest from sea level to 800 meters altitude.

Name Kembayau
Scientific Name Dacryodes rostrata
Native The species is found in Indo-China, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Borneo (Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah, West-, Central- and East-Kalimantan) and the Philippines.
Name in Other Languages Borneo: Ampadu Kalui, Kambayan, Kalasu, Kedongdong, Karamu, Kelamok Maruk, Kembayan Burong, Kembayan Aie, Kembayau,
Kembayau Lamak, Kembayan Utan, Kembayau Teta, Keramuh, Kumabang, Masam, Langsat-Langsat, Merading, Njihah, Merasam, Peninasan, Tindau, Piramuh, Ungit;
Brunei: Ungit;
Indonesia:-
Sumatra: Asem Begomdang,
Bangka: Rengas Burung,
Kalimantan: Kembajau,
General: Kayu Minyak, Kedondong,
Punan Malinau, East Kalimantan: Keramuh,
Lundanye, East Kalimantan: Kedamu,
Merap, East Kalimantan: Buwa Keramau,
Kenyah Uma’, East Kalimantan: Keramu;
Malaysia:-
Peninsular: Kedondong Kerut, Kembayau,
Sarawak: Kembayau, Kelamok Maruk, Keramoh,
Sabah: Kamubang;
Philippines:-
Bikol: Palaspas,
Bisaya: Pili-Hanai,
Lanao: Lunai;
Vietnamese: Trám Xuyên
Plant Growth Habit Evergreen, perennial tree
Plant Size 40 m tall
Leaf Alternate, pinnate
Flower 3 mm across, yellowish–white
Fruit shape & size Ovoid to oblongoid, fleshy drupe, 2–4 cm × 1–2 cm
Fruit color Yellowbrown to purplish black
Flesh color Yellow
Seed Large, light brown to cream

Kembayau Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Dacryodes rostrata

Rank Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom Viridiplantae  (Green plants)
Infrakingdom Streptophyta  (Land plants)
Superdivision Embryophyta
Division Tracheophyta  (Vascular plants, tracheophytes)
Class Magnoliopsida
Order Sapindales
Family Burseraceae  (Burseras)
Genus Dacryodes Vahl
Synonyms
  • Canarium articulatum Engl. ex Koord.
  • Canarium caudatifolium Merr.
  • Canarium crassifolium Merr.
  • Canarium cuspidatum Merr.
  • Canarium gilvescens Miq.
  • Canarium kadondon Benn. in Hook.f.,
  • Canarium minahassae Koord.
  • Canarium montanum Korth. ex Miq.
  • Canarium reticulatum Ridl.
  • Canarium rostriferum Miq.
  • Canarium rostriferum var. cuspidatum Miq.
  • Dracontomelon cuspidatum Bl.
  • Hemisantiria rostrata H.J. Lam
  • Santiria montana Bl.
  • Santiria rostrata Bl.
  • Santiria samarensis Merr

This evergreen and perennial tree grow to the height of 40 meters with a 1-meter trunk diameter and low buttresses. Leaves are pinnate, alternate. Leaflets are papery; ovate-oblong with asymmetrical base, leaf apex is elongated and widened at the tip. Panicles are axillary which are combined into a terminal inflorescence. Flowers are small, three to numerous, yellowish-white, and 3 mm across. Male flowers have six stamens connate to the periphery of the disk. Female flowers have six staminodes. Fruit is ovoid to oblongoid and fleshy drupe which measures 2–4 cm × 1–2 cm and is yellow-brown to purplish-black which contains one hard seed. Branchlets are 4-10 mm thick, glabrous and lenticellate. Leaves are usually glabrous. Leaflets are ovate to oblong, rigid, glabrous, or pubescent underneath and about 3.5-20 by 1.5-10 cm. Flowers are tomentose and about 2-4 mm long. Stamens are distinctly longer in comparison to epipetalous ones sometimes all adnate to the disk. Male flowers have pistil which is strong to nearly entirely reduce. Fruits are slightly oblique, ovoid to oblong, and about 1.75-3.5 by 0.75-1.75 cm.

Culinary uses

Pulp is preserved in salt and fried as a dish.

References

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A simple rural-patient checklist to help you explain symptoms clearly, ask better questions, and avoid unsafe self-treatment.

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

  • Write when the problem started and how it changed.
  • Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
  • Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
  • Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
  • Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
  • How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
  • When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

  • Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
  • Basic physical examination by a clinician
  • CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
  • Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
  • Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

  • Rest, drink safe water, and observe symptoms carefully.
  • Keep a written note of symptoms, duration, temperature, medicines already taken, and allergy history.
  • Seek medical care quickly if symptoms are severe, worsening, or unusual for the patient.

OTC medicine safety

  • For mild pain or fever, ask a registered pharmacist or doctor before using common over-the-counter pain/fever medicines.
  • Do not combine multiple pain medicines without advice, especially if you have kidney disease, liver disease, stomach ulcer, asthma, pregnancy, or take blood thinners.
  • Do not give adult medicines to children unless a qualified clinician advises it.

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
  • Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
  • Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

  • Severe symptoms, confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, chest pain, severe dehydration, or sudden weakness need urgent medical care.
Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Doctor / qualified healthcare provider
Tests to discuss with doctor
  • Basic vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen level if needed
  • Relevant blood, urine, imaging, or specialist tests only after clinical assessment
Questions to ask
  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
  • Which tests are really needed now?
  • Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Safe pathway to proper treatment

Care roadmap for: Canarium odontophyllum – Nutritional Value, Health Benefits

Use this simple roadmap to understand the next safe steps. It is educational and does not replace examination by a doctor.

Go to emergency care if you notice:
  • Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
  • Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration
Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.
  1. Step 1

    Check danger signs first

    If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.

  2. Step 2

    Record the symptom story

    Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.

  3. Step 3

    Visit a qualified clinician

    A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.

  4. Step 4

    Do only useful tests

    Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.

  5. Step 5

    Follow up and return early if worse

    If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips
  • Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
  • Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
  • Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.