Semecarpus forstenii Blume, Mus. Bot. 1 (1850)

(Named after E.A. Forsten [1811-1843], a physician in the Dutch East Indies who collected many plants)

Synonyms
Cassuvium forstenii Kuntze
Cassuvium silvestre s. Lau Lassi (e Ternate) Rumph.
Semecarpus congestiflora K.Sch. & Laut.
Semecarpus decipiens Merr. & Perry
Semecarpus laxiflora K.Sch.
Semecarpus laxiflora var. glabrescens Laut.
Semecarpus roxburghii Bl.
Semecarpus scabrida Bl.
Semecarpus scabrida var. elongata Bl.
Semecarpus uncata Slis

Description
Sub-canopy tree up to 27 m tall and 41 cm dbh. Stipules absent. Leaves alternate, simple, penni-veined. Flowers ca. 2.5 mm in diameter, white, placed in panicles. Fruits ca. 8 mm long, orange fleshy drupe with cupule.

Ecology
Undisturbed lowland forests up to 1200 m altitude, but usually much lower. Also found in inundated areas and swamps, rarely on limestone. In secondary forests usually present as a pre-disturbance remnant.

Uses
In the Moluccas the wood is used for making canoos.

Distribution
Lesser Sunda Islands, Borneo (East-Kalimantan and Sabah), Philippines, Celebes, Moluccas, New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago and the Solomon Islands.

Local names
Borneo: Rengas.