Litsea elliptica Blume, Mus. Bot. Lugd. Bat. 1 (1851)

Synonyms
Litsea odorifera Valeton
Litsea petiolata Hook.f.
Litsea pruriens Kosterm.
Malapoenna elliptica (Blume) Kuntze
Malapoenna petiolata (Hook.f.) Kuntze
Tetranthera elliptica (Blume) Nees

Description
Upper canopy tree up to 44 m tall and 78 cm dbh. Stipules absent. Leaves alternate, simple, penni-veined, glabrous. Flowers ca. 8 mm diameter, white-yellow, placed in axillary bundles. Fruits ca. 12 mm long, green?, drupes placed on enlarged flower base (cupule).

Ecology
In undisturbed mixed dipterocarp and sub-montane forests up to 1200 m altitude. Usually on hillsides and ridges with sandy soils.

Uses
Wood used for planks and construction. Extracts of its leaves are used in the traditional native herbal medicine to treat conditions such as stomach ulcers, fever and headache. A significant antimutagenic activity has also been reported. In Thailand, it has been reported to reduce the incidence of gastric cancer. The essential oil from leaves displayed potential to be used as insecticide.

Distribution
Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Celebes, Moluccas, New Guinea.

Local names
Borneo: Ajau galung, Medang, Medang pasir, Medang pawas, Medang pirawas, Medang selampate, Pirawas, Tonsod onsod.