Melinjo is native to Southeast Asia which belongs to the Gnetaceae family. It is a dioecious gymnosperm plant which has conical trunk. The tree is small to medium which has evergreen leaves. The strobilus has large nut like seed inside which is 2 to 4 cm long. The leaves and fruits are prominent in Indonesian cuisines. Melinjo is harvested twice in a year between May to July and October to December. In Kalimantan, Sulawesi Island and Java, the tree is planted near the roadside and house. From the long time ago, Melinjo trees are sophisticated and its leaves, flowers and fruits are used.
| Name | Melinjo |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gnetum gnemon |
| Native | Native to Assam, Vietnam, Cambodia, Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. It is cultivated everywhere in southeast W Yunnan, Xizang in China. |
| Common/English Name | Daeking Tree, Gnemon Tree, Gnetum Nut, Joint-Fir Spinach, Jointfir, Paddy Oats, Spanish Jointfir, Melinjo Nut, Two Leaf, Tulip Tree, Meminjau, Bago, Gnemon, Gnetum, Kuliat/culiat, Belinjo, Padi oats |
| Name in Other Languages | Borneo: Sabong; Burmese: Tanyin-Ywe; Chinese: Xian Zhou Mai Ma Teng; Fiji: Sukau Motu; French: Gnetum À Feuilles Comestibles; India: Assamese: Genemo; Indonesia:- Javanese: Bagu; Sundanese: Tangkil Sake; Khmer: Voë Khlaèt; Malaysia: Melinjau; Papua New Guinea: Ambiam; Maring: Ambiamtupee; Philippines: Banago; Solomon Islands: King Tree; Thailand: Peesae; Vietnamese: Rau Danh |
| Plant Growth Habit | Small to medium tree, much branched, dioecious, evergreen |
| Growing Climate | Tropical rainforest |
| Soil | Well-drained, moist |
| Plant Size | 5 to 10 m |
| Root | Strong tap root |
| Bark | Woody, round, gray |
| Stem | Well branched, cylindrical bole; Diameter: 40 cm |
| Leaf | Opposite, simple, elliptical-oblong, dark green; Length: 8-20 cm, Width: 3-10 cm |
| Fruit shape & size | Ellipsoid, ovoid, Length: 1-3.5 cm, Width: half |
| Fruit color | Yellow, purple-red, orange-red |
| Fruit peel | Thin |
| Fruit Taste | Distinct bitter |
| Seed | Large, ovoid or ellipsoid |
| Varieties/Types |
|
| Major Nutritions (Fruit) | Manganese, Mn 34 ppm (1478.26%) Copper, Cu 1.9 ppm (211.11%) Iron, Fe 15.6 mg (195.00% ) Zinc, Zn 11.8 ppm (107.27%) Potassium, K 624 mg (13.28%) Magnesium, Mg 52 mg (12.38%) Phosphorus, P 82 mg (11.71%) Protein 5.2 g (10.40%) Carbohydrate 13.3 g (10.23%) Calcium, Ca 68 mg (6.80%) |
| Health Benefits |
|
| Calories in 100 gm | 92 Kcal. |
| Precautions | It should be consumed in moderate amounts. |