Dolichandrone spathacea (L.f.) Seem., J. Bot. 1: 226 (1863)

(Latin for 'spathe-bearing')

Synonyms
Bignonia javanica Thunb.
Bignonia longiflora Willd. ex DC
Bignonia longissima Lour.
Bignonia spathacea L.f.
Dolichandrone longissima K. Sch.
Dolichandrone rheedii Seem.
Dolichandrona spathacea (L.f.) Baill. ex Schum.
Lignum equinum Rumph.
Niir pongelion Rheede
Pongelia longiflora Rafin.
Spathodea diepenhorstii Miq.
Spathodea longiflora Vent.
Spathodea loureiriana DC
Spathodea luzonica Blanco
Spathodea rheedii Spreng.
Spathodea rostrata Span.

Description
Understorey tree up to 20 m tall and 40 cm dbh. Leaves opposite, compound, penni-veined. Flowers ca. 100 mm in diameter, white, with very long corolla tube (up to 180 mm long), placed in 2-8 flowered racemes. Fruits ca. 500 mm long, green, pod-shaped, dehiscent capsule, with corcy seeds that float and are dispersed by seawater.

Ecology
Undisturbed forests up to 100 m altitude. Coastal, in mangoves, along tidal streams, along rivers and in swamps, occasionaly also in keranga forest. Usually on sandy to muddy soils, rarely on limestone. Also found in secondary vegetations.

Uses
The timber is used as firewood, for making matches and clogs.

Distribution
India, Sri Lanka, Birma, Indo-China, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, Borneo (Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah, East-Kalimantan), Philippines, Celebes, Moluccas, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Micronesia, New Hebrides and New Caledonia.

Local names
Borneo: Kelaju, Toi, Towi, Tuih, Tui, Tuwi.