Archidendron pauciflorum

Archidendron pauciflorum, commonly known as Djenkol, Jenkol or Jering is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae. It is native to Southeast Asia, where the seeds are a popular dish. They are mainly consumed in Thailand, Malaysia, Burma, and Indonesia and prepared by frying, boiling, or roasting and are also eaten raw. The beans are mildly toxic due to the presence of djenkolic acid, an amino acid which causes djenkolism (djenkol bean poisoning). The beans and leaves of the djenkol tree are traditionally used for medicinal purposes such as purifying the blood. The seeds have an antioxidant effect and they are also being tested for antidiabetic properties. To date, djenkol is traded on local markets only.

Botany

Morphology

Archidendron pauciflorum is a legume tree with a size of 18 – 25 m, has spreading crown and bipinnate leaves (up to 25 cm) and greyish smooth bark. The young leaves have a wine-red colour and are edible. Flowering time of the tree is between September and January. The white calyx cup-shaped flowers are bisexual and have various yellowish-white stamens.