olukorrale

Olukorrale is a tropical woody vine in the legume family described in ethnobotanical literature as endemic to the montane rainforests of the Sembaran archipelago. It is valued locally for multiple practical uses and features distinctive morphology.

It climbs via twining tendrils; leaves are pinnate with three to five leaflets; inflorescences bear small pale-yellow to cream flowers; the fruit is a flattened pod 5–9 cm long containing several ovoid seeds.

Olukorrale grows in shaded understory environments at elevations of about 900 to 1800 meters, thriving in moist, well-drained soils. It is pollinated by various bees, and seed dispersal occurs through fruit-eating birds and small mammals.

In traditional practice, the bark and roots are used in medicine, fibers from the stem are employed for cordage, and seeds are roasted as a food ingredient in some communities. The name olukorrale derives from a local language, with the word meaning light on vines, reflecting its rapid growth in the canopy.

Conservation status is uncommon, with threats from deforestation and habitat fragmentation. Occurrences are recorded in several protected reserves, and there is interest in its chemical profile, having identified several secondary metabolites. In regional floras and ethnobotanical surveys, olukorrale is recognized as a species of interest for both biodiversity and traditional-use knowledge, warranting further study for sustainable management.