Planchonia valida (Blume)
Blume, in van Houtte, Fl. Serres. 7 (1851)
Latin for 'strong or robust', referring to the tree.
Synonyms
Pirigara valida Blume, Planchonia alata Blume, Planchonia
elliptica Miers, Planchonia forbesii Knuth, Planchonia littoralis
Blume, Planchonia sumatrana Blume, Planchonia sundaica Miq.,
Planchonia undulata Teijsm. & Binn.
Description
Emergent tree up to 56 m tall and 126 cm dbh. Stipules dropped early. Leaves
alternate, simple, penni-veined, glabrous, toothed margin. Flowers ca. 40 mm
diameter, white-pinkish-red, with many protruding stamens, flowers placed in
short racemes. Fruits ca. 57 mm long, green, fleshy berry/capsule with several
seeds.
Ecology
In undisturbed mixed dipterocarp forests up to 300 m altitude. Mostly on
hillsides and ridges, but also along rivers and on alluvial sites. In secondary
forests usually present as a pre-disturbance remnant tree.
Uses
The wood is locally used. The bark is used against skin diseases. The leaves
are eaten as vegetables (raw). The fruits are used as fishing baits.
Distribution
Nicobar Islands, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Lesser Sunda Islands,
Borneo (throughout the island), Celebes, Moluccas, New Guinea.
Local names in Borneo
Kasui, Putat, Putat gajah, Putat paya, Selangan kangkong, Talisei, Telisai,
Talisai bukit, Talisai sugud.
