Arenga engleri

Arenga engleri

　　Nujang Breadfruit Tree – Arenga engleri. The Arenga engleri, found in Nujang, a travel destination in Yunnan's Nujiang Prefecture, grows in Makou and Lazhudidi of Fugong. It is locally called “Siyehi,” meaning “the tree that yields flour.” Typically found in the cool, deep valleys of the Nujiang River and Lazhudidi, this tree matures only once every fifty to sixty years. It grows up to fifty to sixty meters tall with a diameter of up to one meter. Its leaves are about one meter wide and over three meters long, closely resembling banana leaves. The roots, stems, and leaves of the Arenga engleri are all edible and rich in starch. When the tree is felled, starch can be beaten out in clumps by repeatedly striking the trunk with a wooden stick or axe. Once dried, it becomes fine flour that can be used to make pancakes or fried dishes. These are soft and moderately textured, delicious with a sweet aftertaste. It can also be prepared as a drink by mixing hot water with sugar — tasty and refreshing. Additionally, it serves as an effective remedy for diarrhea. A single Arenga engleri tree can help a family of three to five survive for over a month during food scarcity. Hence, among the Derung people of Nujiang Prefecture, Yunnan, this tree is cherished as the “bread tree.”