Tiew (pink mempat, phak tiu) Cratoxylum formosum
Tiew (pink mempat, phak tiu) (Cratoxylum formosum) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Hypericaceae family, native to Myanmar and southern China through Indochina to Malesia. It grows 8–15 m (26–49 ft) tall and 4–8 m (13–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 3 °C (37 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
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Tiew (pink mempat, phak tiu) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Hypericaceae |
| Mature height | 8–15 m (26–49 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 3 °C (37 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about February for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: young reddish leaves and shoots (sour; raw with larb and nam phrik, or in soups) |
| Native to | Myanmar and southern China through Indochina to Malesia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇵🇭 Philippines |
Is Tiew (pink mempat, phak tiu) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Tiew (pink mempat, phak tiu)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Tiew (pink mempat, phak tiu)
- How far apart should I plant Tiew (pink mempat, phak tiu)?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 m (13–26 ft).
- Does Tiew (pink mempat, phak tiu) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Tiew (pink mempat, phak tiu) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Tiew (pink mempat, phak tiu)?
- It tolerates about 3 °C (37 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Tiew (pink mempat, phak tiu) flower?
- From about February for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Tiew (pink mempat, phak tiu) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Tiew (pink mempat, phak tiu)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Tiew (pink mempat, phak tiu). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PROSEA: Plant Resources of South-East Asia, PROSEA Foundation, Bogor
- Thai Plant Names (Tem Smitinand), revised edition, Forest Herbarium, Royal Forest Department, Bangkok
Notes and assumptions
- Dry-season deciduous: the bare branches are covered in sweet-scented pink flowers in February–March, a show along north-east Thai roads. Coppiced in home gardens for the young sour leaves.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- St John’s wort (common) Hypericum perforatum
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo
- Japanese maple Acer palmatum
- Black walnut Juglans nigra
- English yew Taxus baccata
- Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis
- Japanese flowering cherry Prunus serrulata
- Saucer magnolia Magnolia x soulangeana