Calophyllum inophyllum L.,
Sp. Pl. (1753)
Latin for 'fibrous leaves', referring to the close parallel secondary
veins.
Synonyms
Balsamaria inophyllum Lour., Calophyllum bintagor Roxb.,
Calophyllum blumei Wight, Calophyllum inophyllum var. blumei (Wight)
Hassk., Calophyllum inophyllum forma oblongata Miq.,
Calophyllum inophyllum forma obovata Miq., Calophyllum inophyllum
var. takamaka Fosberg, Calophyllum ovatifolium Norona,
Calophyllum wakamatsui Kanehira
Description
Sub-canopy tree up to 25 m tall and 82 cm dbh. Stem with white to yellow
latex. Leaves opposite, simple, penni-veined, secondary veins placed close together and parallel, glabrous.
Flowers ca. 19 mm diameter, white. Fruits ca. 28 mm diameter, pale green, fleshy
drupe.
Ecology
On beaches, in mangroves, along tidal rivers, in peat swamp and keranga
forest up to 10 m altitude. On sandy soils, also on limestone. Seeds dispersed
by sea currents, fruit bats and squirrels.
Uses
The wood is used for construction purposes, including boat construction.
Bark used to dye fish nets. Bark, leaves and latex used for medicinal purposes.
Oil is extracted from the seeds.
Distribution
Coastal regions from Eastern Africa and Madagascar, India and Sri Lanka,
tropical Asia and Australia, western Pacific. In Borneo found along the coasts
of the whole island. Also introduced in the Neotropics.
Local names in Borneo
Banitangor, Dangkaan, Limpaga, Penaga, Penaga laut, Njamplung.
