Nyamplung (Calophyllum inophyllum): Growth, Allometry and Carbon Potential

Updated 2026-11-02 · 3 min read · By the akar.earth specialist team

Nyamplung carbon sequestration in Indonesia: coastal range, growth, wood density, allometry, coastal ARR and greenbelt role, seed oil livelihoods and risks.

Nyamplung stores carbon well on sandy coasts where few other trees thrive, growing into a large, long-lived tree with fairly dense wood. Because its seeds, not its wood, are the main harvest, it keeps carbon standing while giving coastal communities an income.

Identity and range

Nyamplung (Calophyllum inophyllum) is in the family Calophyllaceae (formerly placed in Clusiaceae or Guttiferae). In Indonesia it is called nyamplung, bintangur or punaga in different regions. In English it is the Alexandrian laurel or beauty leaf, and its seed oil is sold as tamanu or foraha oil.

It is native along tropical coasts from East Africa and South Asia through Southeast Asia to northern Australia and the Pacific. In Indonesia it grows naturally in beach forest on sandy coasts throughout the archipelago, including the south coast of Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi and Maluku. It has been planted along coasts in Central Java, East Java and elsewhere for coastal protection.

Growth habit and rotation

Nyamplung is a slow to moderately growing evergreen tree, often 10 to 20 m tall, with a broad, spreading crown, glossy leaves and a short, often leaning trunk. It tolerates salt spray, strong wind, sandy and nutrient-poor soils and occasional seawater flooding, but not permanent tidal inundation.

Trees start producing fruit after several years and continue for decades. Fruits fall and are collected, so trees are not felled for the seed harvest. The timber is strong and was traditionally used for boats and construction. Reported growth rates vary widely with site and exposure.

Wood density and biomass estimation

Reported basic density for C. inophyllum falls roughly between 0.55 and 0.70 g/cm³. Wood density varies with site and age.

Use the Chave et al. 2014 pantropical model:

AGB (kg) = 0.0673 × (ρ × D² × H)^0.976

with ρ in g/cm³, D (DBH) in cm and H in m. We are not aware of a widely used nyamplung-specific equation. Coastal trees often lean and branch low, so measure diameter at 1.3 m along the stem and record any deviation. Open-grown coastal trees are often shorter than inland trees of the same diameter, which is why height must be measured. See the allometric equations guide.

Convert to carbon with the IPCC default 0.47 and to CO2 with 44/12.

Carbon role in ARR and coastal restoration

• Coastal ARR. Planting nyamplung on degraded sandy coasts and abandoned land behind beaches can form an ARR project under VM0047, where land is eligible.
• Greenbelts. Nyamplung, Casuarina, coconut, Pandanus and other beach trees form coastal greenbelts that reduce wind, salt spray and wave impact, complementing mangroves. See the blue carbon hub for the mangrove side.
• Permanence. Seed harvest keeps trees standing, supporting long-term stock.

Co-benefits and livelihoods

Nyamplung seeds contain a high share of oil. The oil is used in traditional medicine and cosmetics (tamanu oil) and has been studied as a biofuel feedstock in Indonesia. Collecting and pressing seeds can give coastal households income. The tree provides shade on beaches and is valued for coastal protection.

Risks and cautions

• Slow early growth. Credits build slowly, so use conservative ex-ante estimates.
• Coastal erosion and storms. Trees on eroding shores can be undercut and fall.
• Land tenure. Coastal land is often state land or contested with tourism and development. Confirm carbon rights early; see carbon ownership in Indonesia.
• Seed oil market risk. Biofuel and cosmetic markets are uncertain, so do not rely on oil income alone.
• Pests. Leaf-eating insects and fungal leaf spots can affect seedlings.

Planning notes for project developers

• Map the shoreline. Use repeat imagery to track erosion so losses are caught early in monitoring.
• Plant behind the tide line. Nyamplung fails under regular tidal flooding; plant on sand ridges and back-beach areas.
• Protect seedlings. Use windbreaks and fencing against goats and cattle in the first years.

Worked example

A coastal nyamplung with DBH 30 cm, height 14 m and density 0.60 g/cm³:

1. ρ × D² × H = 0.60 × 900 × 14 = 7,560
2. AGB = 0.0673 × 7,560^0.976 ≈ 411 kg
3. Carbon = 411 × 0.47 ≈ 193 kg C
4. CO2e = 193 × 44/12 ≈ 708 kg CO2e (above-ground only)

Try your own trees in the tree CO2 calculator, and see species selection for ARR for coastal companions.