Symplocos odoratissima (Blume)
Choisy ex Zoll., Syst. Verz. 2 (1854)
Latin for 'most fragrant', referring to the flowers.
Synonyms
Dicalyx odoratissimus Blume, Eugeniodes odoratissima (Blume)
O.K., Pygeum grandiflorum King, Pygeum viride Baker.f.,
Symplocos acuminatissima Merr., Symplocos aluminosa Brand,
Symplocos apoensis Elmer, Symplocos bulusanensis Elmer, Symplocos
ciliata Presl., Symplocos dagamensis Brand, Symplocos elmeri
Brand, Symplocos floridissima Brand, Symplocos floridissima var.
serrata Brand, Symplocos megabotrys Merr., Symplocos odoratissima
var. aluminosa K. & V., Symplocos odoratissima var. divaricata
Brand, Symplocos odoratissima var. leptocarpa S.Moore,
Symplocos patens Presl., Symplocos patens forma ciliata Brand,
Symplocos patens forma elmeri Brand, Symplocos patens var.
ciliata Brand, Symplocos pseudospicata Vidal, Symplocos
pulgarensis Elmer, Symplocos pulverulenta King & Gamble, Symplocos
repandula Miq., Symplocos salix Brand, Symplocos trichophlebia
Merr., Symplocos verdifolia Elmer, Symplocos villarii Vidal,
Symplocos wenzelii Merr.
Description
Mid-canopy tree up to 31 m tall and 63 cm dbh. Stipules absent. Leaves
alternate, simple, penni-veined, glabrous, margin toothed. Flowers ca. 8 mm
diameter, white-yellow, fragrant, placed in panicles to racemes. Fruits ca. 12
mm long, green-white, drupes.
Ecology
In disturbed (open sites) and undisturbed mixed dipterocarp, swamp and sub-montane
forests up to 1700 m altitude. Usually on alluvial sites, but also common on
ridges. On clay to limestone soils. In secondary forests usually present as a
pre-disturbance remnant.
Uses
The wood is burned, and the ashes used to extract salt. The inner bark is
used medicinally (kayu seriawan) and for dying purposes.
Distribution
Thailand to the Moluccas. In Borneo collected throughout the island.
Local names in Borneo
Lisang, Margaram.
