Diospyros elliptifolia Merr., Philip. J. Sci. 30 (1926)
Latin for 'with elliptic leaves'.

Synonyms
Diospyros elliptifolia forma kinabaluensis Bakh., Diospyros kinabaluensis (Bakh.) Kosterm.

Description
Understorey tree up to 14 m tall and 24 cm dbh. Stipules absent. Leaves alternate, simple, penni-veined, glabrous. Flowers ca. 3 mm in diameter, white, with corolla tube, placed in bundles or solitary in leaf axils. Fruits ca. 19 mm long, green-yellow, fleshy berry.

Ecology
In undisturbed mixed dipterocarp forests up to 500 m altitude. Mostly in swamps and alluvial sites, but also on hillsides and ridges. On poor sandy to ultrabasic soils.

Distribution
Sumatra, Borneo (Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah, West-, Central- and East-Kalimantan), Philippines.

Local names in Borneo
Kayu balleh, Kayu malam.