Litsea garciae Vidal, Rev. Pl. Vasc. Filip. (1886)

Synonyms
Lepidadenia kawakamii (Hayata) Masam.
Litsea aurea Kosterm.
Litsea kawakamii Hayata
Tetradenia kawakamii (Hayata) Nemoto

Description
Sub-canopy tree up to 26 m tall and 49 cm dbh. Stipules absent. Leaves alternate, simple, penni-veined, silvery shiny when young, glabrous. Flowers ca. 15 mm diameter, white-yellow, placed in racemes. Fruits ca. 24 mm diameter, white-yellow, fleshy drupes placed on enlarged flower base (cupule).

Ecology
On disturbed, open sites in mixed dipterocarp forests up to 200 m altitude. Often along rivers or on hillsides with sandy to clay soils. Also commonly cultivated.

Uses
The wood is used. Lightly burned bark used to cure caterpillar stings. Fruits are edible. Oil is extracted from the seeds.

Distribution
Taiwan, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo (throughout the island), Philippines, Celebes.

Local names
Borneo: Kangkala, Medang, Pangalaban, Ta'ang.