Syzygium claviflorum (Roxb.)
Wall. ex Steudel, Nomencl. Bot. ed. 2, 2 (1841)
Latin for 'club-shaped flower'.
Synonyms
Acmena claviflora (Roxb.) Walp., Acmena leptantha (Wight) Walp.,
Acmenosperma claviflorum (Roxb.) Kausel, Caryophyllus speciosus Blume
ex Miq., Eugenia clavata (Korth.) Merr., Eugenia claviflorum Roxb.,
Eugenia leptantha Wight, Eugenia rhododendrifolia Miq., Eugenia
rhododendrifolia Miq. forma longifolia Miq., Eugenia ruminata
Koord. & Valet., Jambosa borneensis Miq., Jambosa clavata Korth.,
Myrtus clavata Korth. ex Miq., Syzygium clavatum (Korth.) Merr. &
Perry, Syzygium excavatum Wall., Syzygium leptanthum (Wight)
Niedenzu, Syzygium longiflorum Wall., Syzygium rhododendrifolium (Miq.)
Masamune, Syzygium suavissimum Wall.
Description
Emergent tree up to 69 m tall and 91 cm dbh. Stipules absent. Leaves
opposite, simple, penni-veined, glabrous. Flowers ca. 21 mm diameter,
white-pinkish, many protruding stamens, flowers placed in panicles. Fruits ca.
11 mm long, green-red-purplish, elongate fleshy berries.
Ecology
In undisturbed but sometimes rather open vegetation types including mixed
dipterocarp, coastal, keranga and peat-swamp forests up to 900 m altitude. Often
on alluvial sites, but also on hillsides and ridges. On poor sandy to peaty
soils and ultramafic. In secondary forests usually present as a pre-disturbance
remnant.
Uses
The timber is locally used. The edible fruits are locally conserved as a
pickle.
Distribution
From northeast India and southern China to New Guinea and Australia. In
Borneo collected in Sarawak, Sabah, Central-, South- and East-Kalimantan.
Local names in Borneo
Gelam, Lenceh, Obah, Ubah.
