Putat Laut (Barringtonia asiatica)
Large sea-shore tree up to 20 m. Trunk and branches columnar, branching low. Crown massive. Leaves spirally arranged in rosettes at the ends of twigs, thick and dark shiny green, obovate and sessile, 15 to 40 cm long, 8 to 20 cm wide.
Flowers large, up to 15 cm across, conspicuous and attractive on
account of the numerous white and pink stamens. Petals 7 cm long.
Fruits dark green, 7 to 10 cm wide, with broad square bases and
tapering ends, walls thick and fibrous.
Although a sea-shore tree, Putat Laut is suitable for planting under a variety of soil conditions. Its massive dense crown provides shade and is ideal for public parks and large compounds. Propagation is from seeds, which have been used in a number of countries for intoxicating fish.