Canarium ovatum aka Pilinut

Canarium ovatum, or pili nut, is an evergreen tree from the Philippines. It belongs to the Burseraceae family and grows in wet forests. It occurs in both old forests and areas of regrowth. The tree thrives in hot lowlands with rain throughout the year. Habitat loss threatens wild trees in its native range. Useful Tropical Plants cites a Vulnerable listing from the 2011 IUCN assessment.

Garden references give a height of about 66 feet [20 metres]. The crown can spread to about 59 feet [18 metres]. Some accounts report trees reaching 82 feet [25 metres]. The tree has a balanced shape and grows at a moderate rate. Its trunk can reach about 1.6 feet [0.5 metres] across. It keeps its leaves through the year. Male and female flowers grow on separate trees. Insects pollinate the flowers, and the tree is not self-fertile. It flowers often, though the evidence gives no set season. The fruit is a drupe with a thick, hard shell.

Pili needs full sun and moist soil that drains well. It grows in sandy, loamy, and heavy clay soils. It prefers acid soil, with a stated pH of 5–6. Broader soil tolerance appears in the same source. Warm days and steady rain suit it best. It cannot cope with frost, even for a short time. Plants For A Future gives USDA zones 10–12. Strong winds cause less concern, as mature trees resist them well. Salt-laden coastal exposure does not suit it.

Growers in the Philippines raise pili for its edible nuts. People eat the kernels raw or cooked. They also use them in sweets, ice cream, and nut milk. Young shoots go into salads. People boil and season the fruit pulp before eating it. The pulp also yields oil. Remove the coat around the kernel, as it can cause diarrhoea. Raw nuts can also have a laxative effect. These cautions matter despite the sources listing no known general hazards.

The broad crown gives shade along streets and in open spaces. Growers also plant pili for wind protection and as an ornamental. Its hard shells serve as fuel and can become ornaments. People harvest its wood for timber. Traditional uses include resin dressings for wounds and bark for malaria. Leaves also have a recorded use for vertigo. These are reported uses, not evidence of proven medical benefit.