Diospyros borneensis Hiern., Trans. Cambr. Phil. Scoc. 12, 2 (1873)
Latin for 'from Borneo'.

Synonyms
Diospyros tawaensis Merr.

Description
Sub-canopy tree up to 24 m tall and 30 cm dbh. Stipules absent. Leaves alternate, simple, penni-veined, secondary venation impressed on upper surface, clearly looping along margin. Flowers ca. 3 mm in diameter, white-yellow, with narrow corolla tube, placed in compressed cymes or solitary. Fruit ca. 33 mm long, brown-purple-black, fleshy berry with many flattened and elongate seeds.

Ecology
In undisturbed mixed dipterocarp forests up to 300 m altitude. Scattered throughout the forest, from riversides to ridges. Mostly on sandy to clayey soils. In secondary forests usually present as a pre-disturbance remnant tree.

Uses
The wood is locally used to carve magical statues.

Distribution
Indo-China, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo (Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah, West-, Central- and East-Kalimantan), Philippines.

Local names in Borneo
Kayu arang, Kayu balik, Kayu malam, Kumpang balik.