Tambaka facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tambaka
Scientific classification
Genus:	Molineria
Species:	latifolia
Synonyms
Aurota latifolia (Dryand. ex W.T.Aiton) Raf. Curculigo agusanensis Elmer Curculigo borneensis Merr. Curculigo brevipedunculata Elmer Curculigo glabrescens (Ridl.) Merr. Curculigo latifolia Dryand. ex W.T.Aiton Curculigo latifolia var. glabrescens Ridl. Curculigo senporeiensis Yamam. Curculigo sumatrana Roxb. Curculigo villosa Wall. ex Kurz Curculigo weberi Elmer Molineria longiflora Kurz Molineria plicata Kurz Molineria sumatrana (Roxb.) Herb. Molineria villosa Kurz

Molineria latifolia, also known as tambaka, lamba and lemba babi, is a species of flowering plant, a stemless perennial herb in the Hypoxidaceae family, that is native to Southeast Asia and produces edible fruits.

Molineria latifolia flower

Description

The plant grows as a clump of 7–10 erect leaves, up to 1 m high in open areas and 2 m in forest shade. The leaves are 60–150 cm long by 8–25 cm wide. The inflorescences grow from the base of the leaves up 10 cm in height, forming compact 8 cm panicles of green bracts and yellow flowers. The fruits are oval berries, 2–3 cm by 1.2–1.7 cm in diameter, ripening white tinged pink, enclosing small black seeds in edible white pulp, with a taste similar to that of dragon fruit.

Distribution and habitat

The species is found throughout Malesia in lowland and hill mixed dipterocarp, lower montane and heath forests, as well as in secondary forest and areas of disturbed vegetation where it is common around villages.