Sterculia lanceolata Cav., Diss. 5 (1788)
Latin for 'lance-shaped' or narrow elongate, referring to the leaves.

Synonyms
Sterculia linearis Korth.

Description
Understorey tree up to 14 m tall and 25 cm dbh. Stipules ca. 5 mm long. Leaves alternate, simple, penni-veined, glabrous. Flowers ca. 10 mm diameter, yellow-red-purplish, placed in racemes to panicles. Fruits ca. 47 mm long, red, dehiscent capsules with black seeds.

Ecology
In undisturbed to slightly disturbed (open sites) mixed dipterocarp and sub-montane forests up to 1000 m altitude. Often along rivers and streams and on hillsides. Also found on limestone. In secondary forests usually present as a pre-disturbance remnant.

Distribution
Sri Lanka to Southern China, Indo-China, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo (throughout the island), Philippines, Celebes.

Local names in Borneo
Meleboh, Meleku, Saloh.