Crypteronia griffithii Clarke in Hook.f., Fl. Br. Ind. 2 (1879)

Named after W. Griffith [1810-1845], a British physician who also collected plants.

Description
Mid-canopy tree up to 31 m tall and 41 cm dbh. Stipules absent. Leaves opposite, simple, penni-veined, rather thick and leathery, with very short petioles. Flowers ca. 3 mm in diameter, white-yellowish, placed in panicles. Fruits ca. 3 mm long, greenish-yellow, dehiscent capsule filled with many small, wind dispersed seeds.

Ecology
In primary but also often in secondary (logged) mixed dipterocarp forests up to 800 m altitude. On hillsides and ridges with sandy soils. Occassionally on limestone.

Uses
Timber used for house building.

Distribution
Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo (Sarawak, Sabah, East-Kalimantan).

Local names
Borneo: Engkolot, Rambai rambai, Uba besok bai, Umbah semut.