Dillenia suffruticosa (Griff.) Martelli in Becc., Malesia 3 (1886)

Synonyms
Dillenia burbidgei (Hook.f.) Martelli
Dillenia suffruticosa var. borneensis Ridl.
Wormia burbidgei Hook.f.
Wormia subsessilis Miq.
Wormia subsessilis var. borneensis Ridl.
Wormia suffruticosa Griff.

Diagnostics
Shrub up to 10 m tall. Stipules absent. Leaves alternate, simple, penni-veined, petiole winged along the whole length. Flowers ca. 95 mm in diameter, yellow, placed in sometimes composed racemes. Fruits ca. 23 mm long, red, dehiscent capsule, seeds with scarlet aril.

Description
Large shrub, up to 10 m high. Leaves elliptic to obovate, ca 12-20-nerved, ca 15-25 by 8-12 cm, blade with +/- obtuse apex and base and entire to dentate margin, glabrous above or sometimes slightly woolly on young leaves, beneath slightly to densely woolly on the lateral nerves, on both sides of the central nerve (continuing on the petiole), and along the line which delimits the bud enclosing part of the leaf-basis. Petiole ca 2-6 cm long with up to 1.5 cm broad, usually persistent wings. Raceme usually simple, sometimes composed, ca 5-12-flowered. Flowers ca 8-11 cm diam. Sepals 5, ca 15-22 by 8-12 mm, in fruit enlarged to ca 18-25 by 10-15 mm. Petals bright yellow, ca 40-50 by 25-30 mm. Staminodes ca 100, 6 mm long. Stamens ca 175, the outer ones 8 mm long, straight in bud, the inner ones 13 mm long, with their apex reflexed in bud, with intermediate lengths. Carpels 5-8, usually 7, ca 5 by 2 mm, with yellowish white, ca 1 cm long styles, each with 7-10 ovules. Fruit dehiscent. Carpels red, ca 20-25 by 10-16 mm, each 1-4-seeded. Seeds brown or black, with a membranaceous, scarlet aril. [from Flora Malesiana]

Ecology
Mostly in secondary forest or open places in undisturbed forest (including keranga) such as riversides up to 700 m altitude. Mostly found on alluvial places such as swamps, mangroves, riversides, but sometimes also present on hillsides and ridges. On clayey to sandy soils. Flowering continuously, each flower open for one day only, between 2 flowers of the same raceme a difference of ca 3-4 days. Fruit ripe after 36 days; seeds eaten by birds.

Uses
Medicinal properties of leaves and roots are used against inflamations, itch, stomach ache, and recovery after delivery. Also many magical properties. Planted as an ornamental.

Distribution
Sri Lanka, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo. Also introduced in the tropics worldwide.

Local names
Borneo: Buan, Dungin, Simper ayer, Simpoh, Simpor, Simpor bini, Simpor rimba, Tambakau.