Diospyros buxifolia (Bl.)
Hiern., Trans. Cambr. Phil. Soc. 12, 2 (1873)
Latin for 'leaves resembling those of Buxus'.
Synonyms
Diospyros elegantissima Bakh., Leucoxylum buxifolium Bl.
Description
Mid-canopy tree up to 39 m tall and 92 cm dbh. Stipules absent. Leaves
alternate, simple, penni-veined but venation barely visible, leaves very small,
petioles glabrous to hairy. Flower ca. 3 mm in diameter, white, with narrow
corolla tube, placed in small bundles or solitary. Fruit ca. 14 mm long, green,
fleshy drupe.
Ecology
In undisturbed forests up to 1700 m altitude. From swampy, alluvial places
to hillsides and ridges with sandy to clay soils, also on limestone containing
soils. In secondary forests usually present as a pre-disturbance remnant tree.
Uses
The wood is used for poles and posts.
Distribution
Sri Lanka, India, Indo-China, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java,
Lesser Sunda Islands, Borneo (Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah, West-, Central-, South-
and East-Kalimantan), Celebes, Moluccas, New Guinea.
Local names in Borneo
Benuang ranka, Kayu malam, Kayu malam gunung, Ki merak, Meribu, Pachar hutan,
Pimbagas, Rangka, Rangkemi, Samak, Sari berangkat, Tanah melawi.
