Ilex cymosa Bl., Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. (1827)

(Latin for 'cyme', referring to the cymose inflorescences)

Synonyms
Ilex cumingiana Rolfe
Ilex cymosa var. cumingiana (Rolfe) Loes.
Ilex philippinensis Rolfe
Prinos cymosa (Bl.) Hassk.

Description
Sub-canopy tree up to 29 m tall and 63 cm dbh. Leaves alternate, simple, penni-veined. Flowers ca. 3 mm in diameter, white-yellow, slightly fragrant, placed in lax, compound cymes. Fruits ca. 3 mm in diameter, pink-blue-purple, fleshy berry.

Ecology
Undisturbed forests up to 1500 m altitude. Usually in swamps, along rivers, or near the coast (mangroves), occasionally on hillsides. Growing on sandy soils, rarely on limestone. In secondary forests usually present as a pre-disturbance remnant.

Uses
The wood is used to make fires. The root is used against fever, while the leaves are used for sprains.

Distribution
Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo (Sarawak, Sabah, West-, Central-, South- and East-Kalimantan), the Philippines, Celebes and the Moluccas.

Local names
Borneo: Bangkulat, Bangkulatan, Belimbing hutan, Bengkulat, Bengkulatan, Bingkolat, Kayu bawang, Kerdam ayer, Mangkulat, Mer pinggau, Mogkulat, Perdoh, Sidapong, Tampulan.