Macaranga tanarius (L.) Mull.Arg., in DC. Prodr. 15, 2 (1866)
Latin for 'tannin'.

Synonyms
Macaranga molliuscula Kurz, Mappa tomentosa Blume, Ricinus tanarius L.

Description
Understorey tree up to 19 m tall and 47 cm dbh. Twigs solid. Stipules erect, ca. 14 mm long. Leaves alternate, simple, peltate, palmately-veined, rarely with basal nectary glands on upper leaf surface, lower surface glabrous to hairy. Flowers ca. 0.5 mm diameter, green-yellowish, clustered within bracts which are part of large panicles. Fruits ca. 10 mm diameter, grey-yellowish, 2-lobed, dehischent capsules with few long soft spines, seeds with black aril.

Ecology
Usually in severely degraded dipterocarp, keranga and sub-montane forests up to 1400 m altitude. Also near beaches and along tidal streams, along roadsides and hillsides and ridges. Mostly on sandy to rocky soils.

Uses
Wood locally used for house construction.

Distribution
From India, China and Japan south to the West pacific and Australia. In Borneo it is found throughout the island.

Local names in Borneo
Kakat, Limboga, Lingkobong, Melang kabau, Sedaman, Sedaman susuan, Singkabong.