Barringtonia reticulata (Blume)
Miq., Fl. Ind. Bat. 1, 1 (1855)
Latin for 'reticulate', referring to the leaf venation.
Synonyms
Barringtonia gitingensis Elmer, Barringtonia linggaensis
Knuth, Barringtonia sumatrana Miq., Michelia reticulata (Blume)
O.Kuntze, Stravadium reticulatum Blume
Description
Sub-canopy tree up to 30 m tall and 33 cm dbh. Stipules often present at
twig tips. Leaves crowded at twig tips, alternate, simple, penni-veined,
glabrous, rather thick and tough, margin not or only slightly toothed. Flowers
ca. 40 mm diameter, pinkish-red, with protruding stamens, flowers placed on long
racemes. Fruits ca. 43 mm long, green-red, strongly angular drupes.
Ecology
In undisturbed peat-swamp, keranga, coastal and mixed dipterocarp forests up
to 200 m altitude. Usually on alluvial sites, sometimes on hillsides and ridges.
On sandy soils. In secondary forests usually present as a pre-disturbance
remnant tree.
Uses
The sap of the leaves is used to dye teeth black.
Distribution
Indo-China, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo (throughout the island),
Philippines, Celebes.
Local names in Borneo
Gulungan hadik, Kayu putat hitam, Putat, Putat darat, Putat hitam, Putat
paya, Rengas.
