Fagraea auriculata Jack,
Mal. Misc. 2, 7 (1822)
Latin for 'with ears', referring to the stipule like appendages at the
petiole base.
Synonyms
Fagraea borneensis Scheff in Hassk., Fagraea bracteosa Cammerl.,
Fagraea curranii Merr., Fagraea epiphytica Elmer, Fagraea euneura
Scheff. in Hassk., Fagraea imperialis Miq., Fagraea jackii Elmer,
Fagraea javanica Reinw. ex Blume, Fagraea nonok Elmer, Willughbeia
auriculata (Jack) Spreng.
Description
Epiphytic climber turning into a tree up to 30 m tall and 30 cm dbh when
mature. Stipules? Leaves opposite, simple, penni-veined, glabrous, leathery,
petiole base with two distinct stipule like appendages. Flowers huge trumpets up
to 200 mm diameter, white-yellow, solitary or in small clusters. Fruits ca. 70
mm long, green-whitish, capsules, dehiscing into four lobes. Seeds embedded in
orange to red pulp.
Uses
Ornamental.
Ecology
In undisturbed to quite open and slightly disturbed mixed dipterocarp,
peat-swamp, coastal and sub-montane forests up to 1800 m altitude. Usually on
alluvial sites. Also growing on limestone. In secondary forests usually present
as a pre-disturbance remnant tree. Flowers are bee and bird pollinated. Seeds
are bird and ant dispersed. The leaf auricles form ant-shelters.
Distribution
Burma, Indo-China, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Lesser
Sunda Islands, Borneo (Sarawak, West- and East-Kalimantan), Philippines,
Celebes, Moluccas.
