Siam Villa Garden: Borneo Mahogany or Alexandrian Laurel

Calophyllum inophyllum is a low-branching and slow-growing tree with a broad and irregular crown. It usually reaches 8 to 20 m (26 to 66 ft) in height. The flower is 25 mm (0.98 in) wide and occurs in racemose or paniculate inflorescences consisting of four to 15 flowers. Flowering can occur perennially, but usually two distinct flowering periods are observed, in late spring and in late autumn. The fruit (the ballnut) is a round, green drupe measuring 2 to 4 cm (0.79 to 1.57 in) in diameter and having a single large seed. When ripe, the fruit is wrinkled and its color varies from yellow to brownish-red.

Now, it is widely cultivated in all tropical regions of the world. Because of its decorative leaves, fragrant flowers, and spreading crown, it is best known as an ornamental plant.

This tree often grows in coastal regions, as well as nearby lowland forests. However, it has also been cultivated successfully in inland areas at moderate altitudes. It tolerates varied kinds of soil, coastal sand, clay, or even degraded soil.

Numerous uses in traditional medicine have been recorded from tropical Asia and the Pacific: the latex and pounded bark are applied externally on wounds, ulcers and to treat phthisis, orchitis and lung affections, and internally as a purgative, after childbirth and to treat gonorrhoea; a leaf infusion is used to treat sore eyes, haemorrhoids and dysentery; heated leaves are applied to cuts, sores, ulcers, boils and skin rash; leaves are used in inhalations to treat migraine and vertigo; the seed oil is applied externally as an analgesic against rheumatism and sciatica, and as a medication against swellings, ulcers, scabies, ringworm, boils and itch; and the flowers are used as a heart tonic. The seeds are used as a fish poison. The stones of the fruit are used as marbles. The pulp of immature fruits is recorded as edible, but caution is needed as toxic compounds may be present in mature fruits.