~Engkala~
Litsea garciae

Local Borneo names: Kangkala, Medang, Pangalaban, Ta'ang.

Common names: Wuru Lilin, Tebulus

aka  Butter-Fruit

Native to  the Sarawak and Sabah regions of Borneo, in Malaysia and  Indonesia.

Distribution: Taiwan, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo  (throughout the island), Philippines, Celebes.

You are bidding on * live starter plant seedlings with vigorous root systems * inches tall with * leaves born and growing in a  small container for ease of transplant.

~Butter-Fruit~

Small fruit, only 1-1.5"  across, with pink to purple skin. Kangkala, Medang, Pangalaban, Ta'ang.,  Litsea garcia

Description: Tropical tree which loves water and is often found  growing near rivers and streams.

Uses: Fruits are edible. Eaten fresh or used to prepare foods. The fruit  has excellent delicate, avocado-like flavor. Fruits can be  used in the same way as the avocado.

Litsea seeds contain fats  that are used in the production of soaps and candles. The wood is used. Lightly burned bark used to cure caterpillar  stings. Oil is extracted from the seeds.

Sub-canopy tree up to 26 m tall and 49 cm m tall and 49 cm dbh. Stipules absent.  Leaves alternate, simple, penni-veined, silvery shiny when  young, glabrous. Flowers ca. 15 mm diameter, white-yellow,  placed in racemes. Fruits ca. 24 mm diameter, white-yellow,  fleshy drupes placed on enlarged flower base (cupule).

Ecology
On disturbed, open sites in mixed dipterocarp forests up to 200  m altitude. Often along rivers or on hillsides with sandy to  clay soils. Also commonly cultivated.

Taiwan, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo (throughout  the island), Philippines, Celebes.

 

Engkalak fruit is known by  other names such as Tebulus and Penglaban depending on the term  used by the various ethnic groups in Sarawak. Nonetheless, it  refers to the same fruit called Engkalak, as is called among the  local Malays.

 Scientifically known as Litsea garciae, it is a  jungle plant from the Avocado family which is easily available  in Sarawak especially in Sibu, Mukah, Oya, Igan and other areas.  Some of its characteristics include seasonal fruiting similar to  durian season, wide green-colored leaves, rounded fruits which  are green when unripe and reddish color when ripens.

The stem  is easily broken and it grows naturally on the riverbanks or in  the jungle. They are also planted in farms or in the backyards.  The tree grows easily especially in peat soil and it does not  require any special care. During the fruit season, Engkalak is  easily available at the farmers markets in Kuching, Sri Aman,  Sibu and Mukah.

Unlike other fruits, Engkalak cannot be eaten  immediately once plucked due to its rancid taste and slight  itchiness which can cause discomfort to the tongue.

How to cook it? Well, engkalak does not need ‘heavy’ cooking.  Just wash them clean, take off the petal (the green cap), then soak them in warm water until they turn soft.  (The pink ripe fruit is a bit soft already). Rub a bit of salt on the white flesh then gently hit them with a fork (top and side) and it’s ready to be eaten in 15mins.

Engkalak fruit has been  one of the traditional foods among the Malay, Iban, Bidayuh,  Melanau and other ethnics since ages. Unlike other fruits,  Engkalak has to be immersed in warm water for a few minutes  until soften. Before it is eaten, the fruit is mixed with salt  to heighten its taste. The flesh is quite sweet and tasty. Young  and unripe Engkalak can be preserved or made into pickles.  However, it has to be immersed in water for a few days to  eliminate the rancid taste and itchiness besides softening the  flesh. Then, it is preserved with salt and water. This preserve  is usually eaten with pickled water and chilli.

Engkala is believed to have  originated in the Philippines though some botanists are of the  opinion that it is a natïve of Borneo. It grows wild in forests  there in low and medium altitudes.

Besides Philippines, engkala is cultivated in the mountain  region of Java in Indonesia. This fruit is also grown to a  smaller extent in Peninsular Malaysia.

A medium to large tree attaining a height from 10-20 m, and a  trunk diameter of 40-50 cm.
Leaves ovate-oblong-lanceolate, 12-50 cm long, 15-15 cm broad. Fruit a depressed-globose berry, 2.5-4.5 cm in diameter, pink to  purple, edible having an excellent delicate avocado like flavor.

 Engkalak fruit will turn  pink when it is ripe.

The fruits are eaten. They taste some what like avocado. The  fruit can be used in the same way as the avocado The fruits are  also steamA stearic oil extracted from the seeds. This oil was commonly  used during earlier days for making soaps and candles. The wood  is used for construction.

Engkala fruits are little known outside Indonesia and  Philippines. These avocado flavoured fruits are invariably liked  by people who happen to eat them for the first time. Engkala,  therefore, deserves to be tried outside South East Asia.

Engkala is propagated by seed. It does not require and  specialized cultivation technique and is planted and maintained  like other tropical trees.

 

Family:  Lauraceae

Synonyms: Listea sebifera
Lepidadenia kawakamii (Hayata) Masam.
Litsea aurea Kosterm.
Litsea kawakamii Hayata
Tetradenia kawakamii (Hayata) Nemoto
 

 

 

Engkala is an unusual  fruit, looking more like an unripe pink eggplant with its large  stem cap. It actually belongs to the Lauraceae, the same family  as the avocado and the bay tree.

Engkala fruits seem more than  strange. Eating directions for ripe fruits are: beat them with a  spoon, soak them in warm water, roll them, then remove the cap  and eat the entire fruit, skin and all, with a pinch of salt.  They are delicious!

The fruit flesh bears superficial  resemblance to the avocado, creamy and nutty, but in addition,  it has a slight tang. The fruits are quite perishable if  improperly handled, but with care, they could certainly bket commodity for their exquisite taste.

There are two  recognized varieties in Borneo. This form, known as Ta'ang on  Kalimantan, the island of Borneo, is slightly smaller, more intense pink-fuschia  color when ripe and reputed to be tastier.

 

small tree t full sun,  semi-shade, regular water, edible, ultra tropical, min. temp.  55F

Bengali - rare exotic fruit tree. Small fruit, with pink to  purple skin and excellent delicate, avocado-like flavor. The  fruits are little known, but reputedly well-liked by those who  have had the chance to try them. Eaten fresh or used to prepare  foods. The fruit can be used in the same way as the avocado.  Litsea seeds contain fats that are used in the production of  soaps and candles. The tree comes from Sarawak and South-west  Sabah where it can be seen growing along riverbanks and  scattered near villages. The foliage looks somewhat like that of  the avocado, however the leaves are longer and droop more  gracefully. There have been attempts to cultivate the engkala in  Java. The round fruits (35 to 45 mm in diameter), flattened top  and bottom, have thin, edible bright pink skins. Medium to thick  flesh surrounds the single, avocado-like seed (1"). It is  creamy-white and similar to avocado, but softer with a more  delicate flavor. The fruit is prepared by rolling it around a  basket, or hitting it with the back of a spoon. The seeds are a  source of fat and are used to manufacture candles and soap. The  engkala grows rapidly and tolerates high light levels if well  watered.

All good things  take time, so I grow my plants and rare palms in  my  ebay store.

Much more to check out or just get a little education on in my  store.

 

Shipping

    Aloha, COLD WEATHER? We ship only  if weather along the route is safe for Live Plants. If any chance of cold or  heat damage we wait to ship until safe. We guarantee LIVE ARRIVAL within the  USA.

ATTENTION USA BIDDERS!

        All bare-root live plants shipped are wrapped  in moist sphagnum moss to ensure the plant's healthy transit to you. All live plants are Inspected By USDA Plant Inspectors before      they are shipped to insure you get healthy pest free plants and seeds.

We ship via USPS Mondays-Wednesday with Delivery confirmation.

    All plant materials are required by LAW to inspected and certified by USDA prior to export Hawaii to the US Mainland.

After Inspection, USDA stamps released for export Hawaii to the US Mainland. All items are delivered to USDA Inspection Station at  Honolulu International airport.

USDA Certification charge  is included in Shipping and Handling @ $5 fee per item/species.

There is a packing and custom boxing fee.

Last and usually least is USPS postage (shipping)

ATTENTION INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS!

We can ship certified live plants to the US only. Only Domestic Shipping and Handling includes  USDA Certification.

International Buyers
– Please Note:
The additional charge ($75US) for any Phytosanitary Certificate  is not included in this offer. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.

We do ship Seeds Internationally worldwide.

Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.

Proper Permits and Documents are the Buyer's responsibility.

Please request any documents prior to shipping.

For foreign customers, please check your laws concerning permitting and customs,  additional shipping and handling costs may apply.

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING ON LIVE PLANTS is available only under these conditions!

All international orders are shipped at the  BUYER'S RISK

 (shipped with or without documents) and no refunds or replacements are offered for Dead On Arrival, loss,  confiscation, Customs Seizure, unanticipated charges, etc.

All International shipments are at Buyer's Risk. Please spend no more more than you can lose!

 

Payment

We accept online payments only through PayPal, Cash payments are only acceptable for in-person pick-ups and cash-on-delivery  (COD). Cash payment can not be sent through the mail. Message me if you want to send cash.

   

Please only one Paypal payment. SO THE COMBINED SHIPPING RULE WILL CAN BE USED. Late or Multiple PayPal payments are  NOT eligible for any discount.

We will ship once a week - ON or BEFORE WEDNESDAYS, because of the special stamps needed to ship plants and cuttings  to you. This can only be done at the Dept. of Agriculture. If payments are not met before that MONDAY, your items will be shipped the following week and  NOT eligible for any combined discount. Non-paying bidders will be reported as an unpaid item to eBay.

COMBINED SHIPPING POLICY

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING is not included in this offer.

   

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING ON LIVE PLANTS on a case by case basis.

We will combine shipping for auctions won on the same week paid with same PayPal payment.

This policy is good for auction items bought and paid for in the week ending MONDAY.

We ship on Tuesdays.

Payment must be received within 4 days of the auction ending.

Combined Discounts Won Auctions

For 2-3 winning auctions, the combined discount is 10% of the total Shipping and Handling charges.

For 4-7 winning auctions, the combined discount is 20% of the total Shipping and Handling charges.

For 8+ winning auctions, the combined discount is 30% of the total Shipping and Handling charges.

As each order is packed and prepared separately you will pay the quoted S/H charges  individually per item. If you buy the same species in that item it does calculate out the discount (i.e.: additional items)

My stores' combined shipping is built in for same items rather than a varied selection. Domestic S/H includes  postage, USDA certification and inspection, proper packing and delivery to Airport for prompt delivery.

I can't really change any of these. If you want one of this and one of that, it is hard to discount much as each  different species requires it's own prep, packing, then at USDA each has to be unwrapped and inspected then repacked. USDA requires us to clean and  prepare every last piece before we drive them to the Inspection Station on the other side of the island.

This requirement takes my wife and I, 2-3 days to pack items and get ready to ship. The whole next day we drive  around the island and get inspected (2-3 hours), then drive to the Airport Post Office to drop off. It takes the same work with the same type item if  you can understand.

LIVE PLANTS ARE PERISHABLE.

There is the risk when you grow plants  that they may die. LIVE PLANTS are PERISHABLE, guaranteed not to live forever.

US orders ONLY are GUARANTEED LIVE  ARRIVAL. All International orders are shipped at the BUYER's RISK!

When you order a plant we assume you are  prepared to care for it. It is your responsibility to know how to care for the  plant. Do some research before they arrive or seek experienced help.

 Small plants need protection from many  things, wind, sun, dry-out. They do well just in the garage or living room. They  need good light but not sunlight (full sun will burn small plants). Small pots dry-out easily. Just sitting in a  shallow tray of water works well. The idea is to keep the plants from  dehydrating.

Be careful if you decide to re-pot.  Re-potting voids any warranty. Plants are easily damaged with new/different mix.  Use NO fertilizers (this may kill your plants). Proper care is critical upon  arrival. Live Plants are NOT GUARANTEED  to survive under your care. DO NOT expect any live plant to be GUARANTEED to  remain alive. Plants are NOT GUARANTEED TO SURVIVE after you begin Care! Live  arrival is guaranteed, eternal survival is up to you.

NO REPLACEMENT WILL BE CONSIDERED IF YOU  HAVE REPOTTED THE PLANT.

 IF YOU are NOT able to provide PROPER  CARE, PLEASE DO NOT EXPECT plant to be GUARANTEED after it perishes.

BROWN THUMB WARNING:

Please Do NOT email me after a week  after receiving and repotting your plant, and make a claim it arrived damaged.  All photo support  must be as arrived in original condition when received (in the box and packed as  delivered).

If you repot your plant after delivery,  all warranties are voided and no replacement is offered. You should use good  gardening skills and repot if desired but at buyer's risk and expense.

Not every plant that I grow survives, and  I am aware of that and accept the risk when I order. This is the risk that you  as the buyer ac

If repotted, you are responsible for the  condition of the plant. NO REPLACEMENT or REFUND WILL BE CONSIDERED  IF YOU HAVE REPOTTED THE PLANT.

cept, because there is no way to know what  kind of conditions it will endure in the trip to your door. My responsibility  ends when a live plant is delivered to your door.

You are agreeing to these terms  when you make this purchase from this listing.

 

eBay  Return Policy

If you need to return an item, be sure to  follow these item condition guidelines.

For details on the seller's return policy  (including how long you have to return an item, who pays for return shipping,  and restocking fees), check the Return policy section of this listing.

 From delivery confirmation, you have only  48 hours from delivery confirmation to make any  'Arrived Damaged'  claim. 

  All claims need to be supported  with Photos of the damaged plant(s) as packed/unpacked,  the box if damaged, the packing materials and any documents.

You must return an item in the same condition  as it was received, not used or altered in any way.

You must also include, in the  same condition as it was received:
All original packaging such as boxes,  bags, tags, and UPCs
Accessories such as cords and remote controls
Certificates, manuals, warranty, and rebate cards
"Free gifts" or bonus items
All items included in a bundle
Make sure you follow these guidelines.  If you don't, you may be subject to a range of actions, including limits of your  buying and selling privileges and suspension of your account.

I am very reasonable and understanding,  anything can happen to small plants in transit, for this reason uninsurable.

The expense to send it to you is most of  your payment. To send any replacements, I try to piggy back with your next  order.

Replacement or refunds are NOT an options  for CUSTOMS SEIZURE.

ALL OF MY ITEMS ARE SHIPPED USDA CERTIFIED  WITHIN THE U.S. - USDA and USPS fees are included in the actual cost of shipping  and Handling.

Please do not leave a 1 or 2 in my detailed  seller ratings for postage fees or any reason really because I will block you  from any further purchases.
 
Please contact me before eBay if  you have any issue. I am the one who can help you. Do not open any case for any  reason really because I will block you from any further purchases.

I ship items the best and least expensive  option. These are coming from Hawaii. The only thing inexpensive here in Hawaii  are my items!! I do ship all my items promptly via best method. If you feel like  the combined shipping fee is wrong, please wait to be invoiced and check back  with me! I value your business and will work diligently to keep you satisfied. I  am very generous and reasonable with reasonable people, just ask.

my dog Taz will fetch your email to me

If you are dissatisfied with the item for any reason, please contact me before leaving a negative or neutral comment.

I want you to be satisfied!

Mahalo iâ `oe no ke kipa `ana mai. E kipa mai hou!

Rare Seeds

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