Payena acuminata (Blume)
Pierre, Bull. Mens. Soc. Linn. Paris 1 (1885)
Latin for 'pointed', referring to the leaf tip.
Synonyms
Bassia sericea Blume, Isonandra pulchra Burck, Madhuca
acuminata (Blume) Baehni, Mimusops acuminata Blume, Payena
acuminata var. acuminata (Blume) A.Bruggen, Payena acuminata
var. pulchra (Burck) A.Bruggen, Payena sericea var. pulchra
(Burck) H.J.Lam, Payena sericea var. typica H.J.Lam
Description
Upper canopy tree up to 42 m tall and 42 cm dbh. Stem with white sap.
Stipules ca. 4.5 mm long. Leaves alternate, simple, penni-veined, but venation
barely visible, lower surface yellow-silvery hairy. Flowers ca. 12 mm diameter,
white, placed in axillary bundles. Fruits ca. 35 mm long, silvery-brown, drupes.
Ecology
In undisturbed mixed dipterocarp forests up to 600 m altitude. Usually on
alluvial sites, but also on hillsides with sandy soils. In secondary forests
usually present as a pre-disturbance remnant.
Uses
The timber is used. The latex is used as 'gutta percha' rubber. The fruits
are edible.
Distribution
Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo (Sabah, Sarawak,
Central-, South- and East-Kalimantan).
Local names in Borneo
Bee-taul, Malau pedara, Natu, Nyatoh, Nyatoh merah, Nyatoh rian.
