Mallotus penangensis Mull.Arg.,
Linnaea 34 (1865)
Named after 'Penang', a province in Malaysia.
Synonyms
Mallotus echinatus Elmer, Mallotus leptophyllus Pax & K.Hoffm.,
Mallotus papuanus var. glabrescens Pax & K.Hoffm., Mallotus
papuanus var. intermedius Pax & K.Hoffm., Mallotus penangensis
var. grandifolia Ridl., Mallotus pseudopenangensis Pax & K.Hoffm.,
Mallotus sarawakensis Pax & K.Hoffm., Mallotus tenuipes Airy Shaw,
Mallotus xylacanthus Pax & K.Hoffm.
Description
Sub-canopy tree up to 28 m tall and 35 cm dbh. Stipules ca. 6 mm long.
Leaves opposite, but one of each pair stipule-like and easily overlooked,
simple, penni-veined, glabrous, sometimes with hairy domatia in secondary vein
axils. Flowers ca. 4 mm diameter, white yellow, placed in racemes. Fruits ca. 13
mm diameter, green-red, 3-lobed, spiny, dehiscent capsules.
Ecology
In undisturbed mixed dipterocarp, sub-montane and keranga forests up to 1333
m altitude. Mostly on hillsides and ridges with sandy soils. In secondary
forests usually present as a pre-disturbance remnant tree.
Uses
Firewood and house construction.
Distribution
Nicobar Islands, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo (Sarawak,
Brunei, Sabah, West-, Central- and East-Kalimantan), Philippines, Celebes,
Moluccas, New Guinea.
Local names in Borneo
Enserai.
