Jengkol (Archidendron pauciflorum)

Jengkol (Archidendron pauciflorum) is a plant species in the Fabaceae family. It is a medium-sized tree that can reach a height of up to 25 meters, characterized by sympodial branching. Its compound leaves are oblong, arranged in opposite pairs, with entire margins, pointed tips, and rounded bases; they measure 10–20 cm in length, with young leaves appearing purplish-red. The individual leaflets are ovoid, 5–7 cm long and 3–4 cm wide, with petioles (leaf stalks) measuring 0.1–1 cm.

The fruit consists of flat, spirally twisted pods that are dark purple in color. Each cluster contains 4–9 pods, with a flesh thickness of 0.37–1.80 cm and an individual pod weight ranging from 5.30 to 23.60 grams. The seeds are covered by a thin, glossy brown seed coat. This coat contains a purplish sap that leaves stains on clothing that are difficult to remove. As the seeds mature, they turn yellow, eventually becoming red or brown when fully ripe.

The seeds can be consumed fresh or processed. While naturally hard, they become soft and tender when boiled, or somewhat chewy when fried. Some people also consume young, raw seeds, which are significantly harder and more bitter. The most common preparation methods are boiling or frying.

Once processed, the seeds releases a distinct aroma—a scent that many find appetizing and characteristic of its unique flavor profile. The seeds are also prepared as chips by pounding or pressing them flat, drying them, and then frying them.

The fruit contains carbohydrates, essential oils, proteins, vitamins A, B, and C, as well as phosphorus, calcium, iron, alkaloids, steroids, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, and saponins. The fruits and seeds help lower blood glucose levels, facilitate bowel movements, and possess antibacterial, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. The leaves are used to treat eczema, scabies, wounds, and boils. The tree bark serves as a remedy for burns. An extract from the bark is used as a hair wash, as well as a purple dye for silk fabrics and woven goods.

TAXON

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Subphylum: Angiospermae
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Mimosoideae
Tribe: Ingeae
Genus: Archidendron F.Muell. in Fragm. 5: 59 (1865)
Species: Archidendron pauciflorum (Benth.) I.C.Nielsen in Opera Bot. 76: 41 (1984 publ. 1985)
Variety: Archidendron pauciflorum var. caulostachyum (Merr.) I.C.Nielsen, Archidendron pauciflorum var. pauciflorum

HOMOTYPIC SYNONYMS

Abarema pauciflora (Benth.) Kosterm. in Bull. Organ. Natuurw. Onderz. Indonesië 20: 60 (1954)
Pithecellobium pauciflorum Benth. in London J. Bot. 3: 212 (1844)

PUBLICATIONS

Aung, Y.L., Aung, M.H., Tan, Y. & Jin, X. (2025). An updated checklist of vascular plants of Myanmar. PhytoKeys 261: 135-364.

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

Lock, J.M. & Ford, C.S. (2004). Legumes of Malesia a Check-List: 1-295. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

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

VERNACULAR NAME

Chinese (traditional): 印尼頷垂豆 - 吉日豆 - 吉鈴豆 - 得英蒂豆 - 疏花猴耳 - 緬甸臭豆
English: Jengkol, Djenkol tree
Indonesia: Jengkol, Djenkol, Jering
Java: Jengkol
Taiwan: 印尼頷垂豆 - 吉日豆 - 吉鈴豆 - 得英蒂豆 - 疏花猴耳環 - 緬甸臭豆

Aryo Bandoro
Dlium TheDlium
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