Willughbeia sarawacensis facts for kids

Willughbeia sarawacensis, often called kubal or kubal madu in Malaysia, and tabo in the Philippines, is a large tropical plant. It grows like a vine and produces tasty, edible fruit. You can find this plant naturally in Borneo and the nearby island of Palawan in the Philippines.

In Borneo, there are four types of related plants. Three of them are Willughbeia sarawacensis: kubal asam (also called kubal taya), kubal tusu (also called kubal madu), and kubal arang. There's also a much larger cousin called tabau (which is Willughbeia elimeri).

What Does the Kubal Fruit Look Like?

The fruit of the Willughbeia sarawacensis is round, about the size and color of a grapefruit. It has a thin skin, similar to a melon. The taste is very sweet and strong. People often say it tastes like a mix of mango, soursop, and pineapple all together!

Different Types of Kubal Fruit

Most of the kubal fruits are round. However, the 'kubal tusu' type is shaped more like a pear. Another type, 'kubal arang', is special because its seeds are a dark, charcoal-like color.

Growing Kubal Plants

At a special farm near Kuching, Sarawak, these plants are grown on raised platforms. They start to produce fruit in less than two years. This shows they can grow quite quickly when cared for properly.