Homalium caryophyllaceum (Z. &
M.) Benth., J. Linn. Soc. 4 (1860)
Latin for 'nutmeg-shaped', referring to the flowers.
Synonyms
Blackwellia caryophyllacea Z. & M., Blackwellia longiflora Miq.,
Cordylanthus frutescens Blume, Homalium cordylanthus Benth.,
Homalium frutescens Warb., Homalium hosei Merr., Homalium
longiflorum Benth. ex Koord., Homalium obovale Miq., Homalium
sumatranum Miq.
Description
Sub-canopy tree up to 21 m tall and 28 cm dbh. Stipules dropped early.
Leaves alternate, simple, penni-veined, glabrous, marging sometimes toothed.
Flowers ca. 5 mm diameter, green-white-yellow, with calyx tube, flowers placed
in racemes. Fruits ca. 27 mm long, yellowish, elongate drupes/capsules with
persistent flower parts at the base.
Ecology
In undisturbed mixed dipterocarp, swamp, coastal and sub-montane forests up
to 1400 m altitude. Usually on alluvial sites and along rivers. On sandy to silt
soils. In secondary forests usually present as a pre-disturbance remnant tree.
Distribution
Indo-China, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo (throughout
the island), Celebes.
Local names in Borneo
Basing, Bulalang, Buluh, Dampol, Kamanjar, Kamuning, Kayu buloh, Kayu keras,
Kayu laras, Kulahit hitam, Kutang, Malinein, Malinoin, Pintik, Tambalinoh,
Tangan mungit, Tulang ular.
