Helicia robusta (Roxb.) R.Br. ex Wall., Cat. (1831)
Latin for 'strong or tough'.

Synonyms
Helicia castaneaefolia Meisn., Helicia cumingiana Presl., Helicia cumingiana var. parvifolia Merr., Helicia glabrata Meisn., Helicia integra Merr., Helicia integrifolia Elmer, Helicia javanica Blume, Helicia longiflora Merr., Helicia oligophlebia Merr., Helicia philippinensis Meisn., Helicia travancorica Bedd. ex Hook.f., Helittophyllum javanicum Blume, Roupala glabrata Wall., Roupala robusta Roxb., Rupala serrata Reinw. ex Blume

Description
Understorey tree up to 17 m tall and 28 cm dbh. Stipules absent. Leaves alternate, simple, penni-veined, glabrous, leaf margin often toothed. Flowers ca. 13 mm diameter, white-yellow-orange, placed in racemes. Fruits ca. 34 mm diameter, green-purple, drupes.

Ecology
In undisturbed to slightly disturbed (open) mixed dipterocarp, swamp and sub-montane forests up to 1200 m altitude. Usually on alluvial (periodically inundated) sites or along rivers and streams, on sandy soils. In secondary forests usually present as a pre-disturbance remnant.

Uses
The wood is locally used for shafts of axes and house building. Young shoots can be eaten as a vegetable.

Distribution
India, Burma, Indo-China, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo (Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah, South- and East-Kalimantan), Philippines.

Local names in Borneo
Bronsop, Buak-buak, Buntal, Jaring jaringan Jawa, Korodo, Luan, Palis, Ponsch, Watutu.