Bhesa paniculata Arn.,
Edinb. New Phil. J. 16 (1834)
Latin for 'paniculate', referring to the inflorescence.
Synonyms
Kurrimia luzonica Vidal, Kurrimia minor Ridl., Kurrimia
paniculata Wall., Pyrospermum calophyllum Miq., Schmidelia
conferta Blanco
Description
Emergent tree up to 65 m tall and 79 cm dbh. Stipules large but early
dropped, only present at twig tip. Leaves alternate, simple, penni-veined, with
long pulvinate petiole, tertiary venation very finely and regular ladder-like.
Flowers ca. 2.3 mm in diameter, yellow-red, placed in crowded panicles. Fruits
ca. 13 mm long, orange-red, fleshy, V-shaped capsule, seeds with pink aril.
Ecology
In undisturbed forests up to 2000 m altitude. Usually in (peat)-swamps,
along rivers or alluvial sites, but also found on hillsides and ridges in mixed
dipterocarp forest or keranga forest. On clayey to sandy soils. In secondary
forests usually present as a pre-disturbance remnant tree.
Uses
Timber is used for house building. The fruits (aril) are eaten.
Distribution
Southern India, Sri Lanka, Birma, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra,
Borneo (Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah, West-, Central- and East-Kalimantan), the
Philippines.
Local names in Borneo
Asam pau, Duhat burung, Kayu minyak, Medang kuning, Pangil-pangil, Rarasan
tatahon, Rengas, Resak buntung, Ruwas, Sampaka, Sanggam, Sarunai, Semita, Simun,
Sulang sulang.
