ABOVE: The young leaves of Pisonia umbellifera (Pisonia alba) are often eaten as a vegetable in SE Asia. Pisonia umbellifera is often grown in home orchards and a related variety grows as an uncommon forest tree throughout Borneo. Illustration by Hoola Van Nooten.
The sticky seedpod (E) is at bottom right.The oblong seed pods of Pisonia umbellifera are covered in a sticky glue which attaches to the feathers of birds that roost in the tree. When the birds fly away they take the seed pods with them. Pisonia umbellifera is closely related to Pisonia grandis which in a similar fashion is dispersed by seabirds from island to island.
