Cratoxylum sumatranum

Cratoxylum sumatranum is a species of flowering plant in the Hypericaceae family. It is indigenous to Southeast Asia, including Burma, Indochina, Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, Borneo, Philippines and Sulawesi.

Cratoxylum sumatranum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Hypericaceae
Genus: Cratoxylum
Species:
C. sumatranum
Binomial name
Cratoxylum sumatranum
(Jack) Bl.[1]
Synonyms
  • Cratoxylum celebicum Blume
  • Cratoxylum hypericum (Blume) Merr.
  • Elodea sumatrana Jack

The tree may grow up to 51 meters tall and 80 centimeters diameter at breast height, with cracked and fissured bark. The stems produce whitish-yellowish latex. The leaves have an opposite arrangement, are simple, elliptic and a glossy rich green. Its flowers are 5-parted and clustered on terminal panicles. They are small (approximately 8mm in diameter), reddish with white linings around the petals. The fruits, which appear in July, are approximately 8mm long, yellow-brown-black capsules, filled with many small winged seeds.[2]

The plant's leaves and bark have medicinal uses. Its timber is suitable for light construction, furniture, carving, firewood and charcoal production.

Local names include Kansilay, Lakansilay and Guyong-guyong in the Philippines, and Irat, Geronggang, Manding, Mentialing, Serungan and Serungan mampat in Borneo.

Subspecies

Three subspecies are recorded:[3]

  • C. sumatranum subsp. blancoi (Blume) Gogelein - Philippines
  • C. sumatranum subsp. neriifolium (Kurz) Gogelein - Indo-China
  • C. sumatranum subsp. sumatranum - the nominate infraspecific - Malesia

References


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