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Benda (Artocarpus elasticus)

Dlium Benda (Artocarpus elasticus)

Benda (Artocarpus elasticus) is a plant species in the Moraceae family. It is a medium-to-large tree that can reach a height of 45 meters, with a branch-free trunk up to 30 meters tall and a diameter of up to 125 cm; its buttress roots can extend as high as 3 meters above the ground. The bark is grayish-brown, with an inner layer ranging from yellowish to pale brown, and it exudes a yellowish-white latex.

A. elasticus features thick twigs (8–20 mm in diameter) covered in dense, golden-colored hairs. Stipules envelop the tips of the twigs; they are 6–20 cm long and covered in long, yellow-to-reddish hairs. The leaves are stiff and leathery, ovate-oblong in shape, measuring 12.5–60 cm in length and 10–35 cm in width. The veins are covered in coarse, golden hairs on the upper surface and finer golden hairs on the underside. The leaves have pointed tips and entire to wavy margins, with bases that range from rounded to tapered.

The inflorescences are borne in heads (capitula) located in the leaf axils on leafy twigs. Male heads resemble thick, finger-like structures, measuring 6–20 cm in length and 2.5–3.8 cm in width; they are yellow, later turning brown. The syncarp (multiple fruit) is yellow-brown, eventually becoming brown, and cylindrical—measuring approximately 11.5 x 5.5 cm. It is covered in short, soft, spine-like projections of two different sizes. The fruit is attached to a stalk 6.5–12 cm long. The seeds are ellipsoid, measuring 10 x 6 mm, and are enclosed within the perianth (floral parts).

This species grows wild in forests and along roadsides at low to moderate elevations, up to 1,500 meters. The ripe fruit is consumed fresh, while the seeds are eaten after being boiled or fried. Young, unripe fruit must be cooked before consumption—often prepared as an ingredient in gulai (a type of curry).

The tree's latex is frequently used to create birdlime for trapping birds. Wood fibers are used to make rope and clothing materials. The wood is relatively lightweight, with a density of 365–640 kg/m³ at a 15% moisture content. It has a fine, coarse-grained texture and a lustrous appearance, ranging in color from bright yellow to brown. It falls into durability classes III–IV (low durability) and is easily damaged by termites.

The wood is used for birth control (taken once a day for three consecutive days). The tree bark is used as a remedy for stomach aches, while the sap serves as a treatment for diarrhea. The bark can also be beaten to create belts. The leaves are used to treat roundworm infestations.

TAXON

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Subphylum: Angiospermae
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Moraceae
Tribe: Artocarpeae
Genus: Artocarpus J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. in Char. Gen. Pl., ed. 2.: 101 (1776)
Species: Artocarpus elasticus Reinw. ex Blume in Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind.: 481 (1825)

HOMOTYPIC SYNONYMS

Saccus elasticus (Reinw. ex Blume) Kuntze in Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 633 (1891)

HETEROTYPIC SYNONYMS

Artocarpus blumei Trécul in Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot., sér. 3, 8: 111 (1847)
Artocarpus kunstleri King in J.D.Hooker, Fl. Brit. India 5: 540 (1888)
Artocarpus pubescens Blume in Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind.: 481 (1825)
Saccus blumei (Trécul) Kuntze (1891)
Saccus kunstleri (King) Kuntze (1891)

PUBLICATIONS

Berg, C.C., Corner, E.J.H. & Jarrett, F.M. (2006). Flora Malesiana 17(1): 1-154. Noordhoff-Kolff N.V., Djakarta.

Gardner, E.M. & Zerega, N.J.C. (2021). Taxonomic updates to Artocarpus subgenus Pseudojaca (Moraceae), with a particular focus on the taxa in Singapore. Gardens' Bulletin Singapore 73: 309-374.

Govaerts, R. (1995). World Checklist of Seed Plants 1(1, 2): 1-483, 529. MIM, Deurne.

Kress, W.J., DeFilipps, R.A., Farr, E. & Kyi, D.Y.Y. (2003). A Checklist of the Trees, Shrubs, Herbs and Climbers of Myanmar. Contributions from the United States National Herbarium 45: 1-590. Smithsonian Institution.

Nurtjahya, E. & al. (2026). Flowering Plants of Bangka Island: Native and Introduced. Acta Botanica Hungarica 68: 127-156.

Turner, I.M. (1995 publ. 1997). A catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Malaya. Gardens' Bulletin Singapore 47(2): 347-655.

VERNACULAR NAME

Batak Karo: Torop
Brunei: Danging, Tebagan, Terap hutan
Dayak: Torap, Punuk
English: Benda, Terap, Wild breadfruit
Filipino: Malagumihan
Indonesia: Benda, Terap
Java: Bendhå, Benda, Bendo
Kalimantan: Terap, Kapua, Kumut, Pekalong
Madura: Kokap
Makassar: Taéng
Malaysia: Terap nasi, Terap, Terap togop
Melayu: Bakil
Mentawai: Kalam
Minangkabau: Tarok
Pattani: Ka ok
Russian: Артокарпус эластичный
Slovak: Chlebovník pružný
Sulawesi Tenggara: Kumbou.
Sumatera: Terap
Sunda: Bĕnda, Benda, Teureup
Thai: โอ้ - คา โอ - ทูกา Oh, Ka oh, Tuka

Aryo Bandoro
Dlium TheDlium
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dlium
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