Meliosma sumatrana (Jack) Walp.,
Ann. 1 (1848)
Latin for 'from Sumatra'.
Synonyms
Irina integerrima Blume, Meliosma confusa Blume, Meliosma
cuspidata Blume, Meliosma diepenhorstii Valet., Meliosma elmeri
Merr., Meliosma nitida Blume, Meliosma nitida var. cerasiformis
Blume, Meliosma nitida var. splendens Blume, Meliosma nitida
var. tridenta Blume, Meliosma philippinensis Merr. & Perry,
Meliosma pinnata Koord., Millingtonia nitida (Blume) Schult. & Schult.,
Millingtonia sumatrana Jack
Description
Understorey tree up to 20 m tall and 62 cm dbh. Twigs densely lenticulate.
Stipules absent. Leaves alternate, compound, leaflets penni-veined, glabrous to
hairy. Flowers ca. 4 mm diameter, white-yellowish, fragrant, placed in panicles.
Fruits ca. 21 mm diameter, red-brownish, drupes.
Ecology
In undisturbed mixed dipterocarp and sub-montane forests up to 1200 m
altitude. Along rivers and streams, on hillsides and ridges. Usually on clay
soils. In secondary forests usually present as a pre-disturbance remnant.
Uses
The leaves are used to treat skin itch and to clean wounds. The fruits are
edible.
Distribution
Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo (throughout the island),
Philippines, Celebes.
Local names in Borneo
Bitonok, Bulitiap, Bulu manok, Bulu manuk, Bung lai, Gapas-gapas, Illulal,
Jangkang gunung, Kapas-kapas, Keriyan, Limpangot, Malak, Tambalilin, Tandao,
Tunjang.
