Agroforestree Database

Local names:
 English (pilinut,Philippine nut,canarium melioides), Filipino (pili-pilauai,pili,pilaui,liputi,basiad,anangi), Trade name (pili,Kedongdong)

Canarium ovatum is an attractive, symmetrically shaped evergreen tree, up to 20 m tall and 50 cm in diameter. Stipules persistent, deltoid to lingulate, 5-20 x 3-10 mm.

Leaves 2-4-jugate, imparipinnate, spirally arranged, about 40 cm long; leaflets ovate to elliptic, 4-24 x 2-12 cm, stiff, coriaceous, entire, base oblique, rounded to subcordate, apex abruptly acuminate, 8-12 pairs of nerves. 

Inflorescence axillary, close together at the ends of branches, narrowly thyrsoid, 3-12 cm long, few flowers; flowers trimerous, unisexual, subsessile, pubescent, up to 12 mm long, calyx cupular, 7 mm long in male, 8-9 mm in female flowers; petals 2 x 1 cm; stamens 6, slightly adnate to the disk and sterile in female flowers; pistil absent in male flowers, 7 mm long in female. 

Fruit drupaceous, ovoid to ellipsoid, 3.5-6.25 x 2-2.75 cm, acute, triangular in cross-section; exocarp thin, glabrous, shiny, turning from light green to purplish-black; mesocarp fibrous, fleshy, thick and greenish-yellow in colour; endocarp (shell) elongated, stony, trigonous, pointed at base, blunt or obtuse at apex, tawny to dirty brown, sterile cells strongly reduced. Seed with 1 brown papery seed coat. Much of the kernel weight is made up of the cotyledons, which are about 4.1-16.6% of the whole fruit. 

The genus name Canarium comes from the vernacular name ‘kenari’ in the Molucca Isles.

Ecology

Pili is a tropical tree preferring warm temperatures and well-distributed rainfall. It cannot tolerate the slightest frost or low temperature. In its natural habitat it grows at low to medium altitudes in primary and secondary forests. Mature trees can resist strong winds.

Native range
Philippines

Tree management

Production is mainly from wild trees and small plantings near coconut and hemp plantations. Most of the production in the Philippines is from seedling-raised trees; there is much variation in kernel quality and quantity between the trees. A mature pili tree yields between 100-150 kg of unshelled nuts.

Refrigeration of seeds at 4-13 deg. C results in loss of viability after 5 days. Nuts in the shell, with 2.5-4.6% mc, can be stored in the shade for 1 year without deterioration of quality. Seed germination is highly recalcitrant, reducing from 98 to 19% after 12 weeks of storage at room temperature; seeds stored for more than 137 days did not germinate.

Pili is a tropical tree preferring warm temperatures and well-distributed rainfall. It cannot tolerate the slightest frost or low temperature. In its natural habitat it grows at low to medium altitudes in primary and secondary forests. Mature trees can resist strong winds.

Most C. ovatum kernels tend to stick to their shell when fresh but come off easily after being dried to 3-5% mc (30 deg. C for 27-28 hours). Pericarp is also removed by dipping fruits in hot water. The seedlings take 40-50 days to emerge; year-old seedlings can be used for rootstock. Asexual propagation is best through patch budding, which has a claimed success rate of 85-90% in the Philippines. Cleft grafting is also successful; marcotting is too inconsistent to be used for propagation in commercial production and may be cultivar dependent.

  The most important product from C. ovatum is the kernel. When raw, its flavour resembles roasted pumpkinseed, and when roasted, its mild, nutty flavour and tender, crispy texture are superior the almond. It has been recorded that the testa should be removed before the kernel is eaten, because it causes diarrhoea. Pili kernel is also used in chocolate, ice cream and baked goods. Nutritionally, the kernel contains 71.1% fat, 11.4% protein and 8.4% carbohydrates; it is high in calcium, phosphorus and potassium. The kernel is a major ingredient in a famous Chinese festive dessert known as the ‘moon cake’. However, kernels from some trees may be bitter, fibrous or have a turpentine odour. Young shoots are used in salads, and the fruit pulp is eaten after it is boiled and seasoned. Boiled pili pulp resembles the sweet potato in texture, it is oily (about 12%) and is considered to have food value similar to the avocado. Pulp oil can be used for cooking. Young shoots are used in salads, and the fruit pulp is eaten after it is boiled and seasoned. Boiled pili pulp resembles the sweet potato in texture, it is oily (about 12%) and is considered to have food value similar to the avocado. Pulp oil can be used for cooking.

The hard and thick shell that encloses the kernel makes an excellent fuel for cooking. The resin-rich wood makes good firewood.

Shade or shelter:  The evergreen C. ovatum tree makes an excellent windbreak as it resists strong winds and even typhoons.

Lipids:  An edible light-yellow oil expressed from the kernel is comparable in quality to that of olive oil, containing up to 59% oleic glycerides and 32-59% of palmitic glycerides. Pulp oil can be extracted and used as a substitute for cottonseed oil in the manufacture of soap and edible products. 

Medicine:  Resin is soft, odorous and has the texture of honey. It was formerly exported for the European pharmaceutical trade as Manila or Philippine gum elemi for use as an ointment for healing wounds and as a plaster. Raw nuts are a purgative.

Gum or resin:  A valuable resin, called Manila elemi or ‘breabianca’, is used as an ingredient in the manufacture of plastics, printing inks and perfumes. It is also is used by the Spaniards for ship repairs. 

Ornamental:  With its symmetrical branches, C. ovatum is an attractive avenue tree.

Soil improver:  Stony shells are excellent as a porous, inert growth medium for orchids and anthuriums.