''Syzygium polyanthum'', with
common name
In biology, a common name of a taxon or organism (also known as a vernacular name, English name, colloquial name, country name, popular name, or farmer's name) is a name that is based on the normal language of everyday life; and is often contrast ...
s Indonesian bay leaf or daun salam,
is a species of
plant in the family
Myrtaceae
Myrtaceae, the myrtle family, is a family of dicotyledonous plants placed within the order Myrtales. Myrtle, pÅhutukawa, bay rum tree, clove, guava, acca (feijoa), allspice, and eucalyptus are some notable members of this group. All speci ...
, native to
Indonesia,
Indochina and
Malaysia.
[ The leaves of the plant are traditionally used as a food flavouring, and have been shown to kill the spores of '' Bacillus cereus''.
]
Description
The tree grows from lower to higher elevation up to 1400 meters. The tree can grow up to 25 meters of height. The leaf gives slightly bitter taste with astringent effect.
Uses
The leaves may be used dried or fresh in the cuisine of Sumatra
Sumatra is one of the Sunda Islands of western Indonesia. It is the largest island that is fully within Indonesian territory, as well as the sixth-largest island in the world at 473,481 km2 (182,812 mi.2), not including adjacent i ...
, Java, Madura, or Bali
Bali () is a province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. East of Java and west of Lombok, the province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller neighbouring islands, notably Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nu ...
. It is an ingredient in dishes such as ''sayur lodeh'' and ''nasi gurih
Nasi gurih is an Indonesian steamed rice cooked in coconut milk and spices dish originally from Aceh, Indonesia.
Etymology
''Nasi gurih'' literally means "succulent rice" in Aceh language and Indonesian. The name describes the rich taste of r ...
''.
References
polyanthum
{{Myrtaceae-stub