KALIMASADA TREES

One of the plants that is believed to be auspicious is the Kalimasada Tree or a plant called Latin Cordia Subcordata from the Baraginaceae Family, is a shrub or small tree with a dense and wide crown, which can grow as high as 4-15 meters. The untied trunk is often bent, can free from branches up to 8 meters and up to 60cm in diameter. This plant is used from the wild for local uses, especially for its wood, but also for fiber, dyestuffs and edible uses. It is sometimes cultivated for its wood and sometimes planted as decoration in gardens, in Indonesia the Kalimasada or Cordia Subcordata plants are found in the Karimun Java, Jepara and Kalimasada areas as well as in East Africa, India, South China, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia , Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, Australia, Pacific Islands.

Although this plant has a very wide range, this plant is only limited to coastal areas. In the Papuasian region, a major concern is the extensive exploitation of the species for native carvings and artefacts for the tourist trade, resulting in the rapid loss of many mature trees. Cordia Subcordata or Kalimasada plants are classified as 'Little Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (2011).

CHARACTER OF PLANT KALIMASADA

Kalimasada, grows mostly on tropical beaches, grows best in areas with an annual rainfall of about 1,250 mm. Prefers soil that is moist, but has good drainage and is positioned in full sun. They are suitable for planting in sandy soils and do well in sub-humid climates.

Young plants are not very shade tolerant but do well in light conditions above 30% relative light intensity. The established plants are quite drought tolerant.

Trees grow quickly in a location that is fairly fertile and has good drainage. Species from the island of Buru (Indonesia) reported that young Cordia subcordata trees can reach a height of 1.1 - 1.5 meters 10 months after planting in a good location whereas in East Java trees as high as 4 - 5 meters on plantations are 2 years old and on average. an average height of 7 meters after 4 years with an average diameter of 6.5 cm. Kalimasada plants can flower and bear fruit throughout the year. A 3 year old plant may have produced fruit. The fruit of this species may be scattered by ocean currents, it has a hard shell and cork tissue on the fruit. Kalimasada has a shallow root system and can be damaged if there is too much disturbance to the soil surface.

BENEFITS AND USE OF KALIMASADA TREE

FOOD BENEFITS

In Polynesia, young leaves are sometimes chewed together with areca nuts. Unflavored seeds, are more likely to be eaten in times of shortage of food, although hungry children sometimes gather and eat them.

OTHER USES

In Indonesia, the wood is believed to have good luck by metaphysical experts.
The fibers obtained from the bark are used to make clothes, hats, baskets etc.
The wood reportedly burns quickly and can be easily ignited by rubbing together two pieces of wood.

The heartwood is pale brown to dark brown, often with a purplish tinge and dark brown to almost black streaks, and it is clearly visible at the border from the sapwood to pale yellowish brown. The seeds are usually interlocked, the texture is quite smooth, the wood looks a bit shiny and also Kalimasada wood is quite light, although wood from the Polynesian region is said to be heavier, softer and more durable and very resistant to termites. In addition, Kalimasada wood is easy to work with both hand and machine tools, and can come with a good finish with a nice shine. And usually used for light construction such as:

beams and posts
dock
cupboard
furniture
musical instrument
sarong
utensil
carving
and luxury goods, also for veneers

And it is traditionally used to make plates, cups, bowls, etc. because wood doesn't give any taste to food as well

The wood is used for fuel in the Solomon Islands

CULTIVATION OF KALIMASADA

Kalimasada seeds reportedly take 19 - 62 days to germinate, with about 25% of the seed viable. However, data from Indonesia suggests that viability may be as high as 90-100%, but seeds collected from soil show 40-50% germination.

The germination process can be accelerated if the seeds are first scarified by slightly scraping the seed layer to facilitate water entry. It is advisable to sow the seeds 1.5-2 cm deep, pointing downward and also the seeds should be watered sufficiently.