Ploiarium elegans Korth., Verh. Nat. Gesch. Ned. Bezitt., Bot.: t. 25 (1841)

Latin for 'graceful', referring to appearance of the plants.

Synonyms
Archytaea alternifolia Szyszyl.
Archytaea vahlii Choisy
Ploiarium alternifolium (Szyszyl.) Melch.

Description
Understorey tree up to 13 m tall and 18 cm dbh. Stipules absent. Leaves alternate, simple, penni-veined, glabrous, margin sometimes slightly toothed. Flowers ca. 22 mm diameter, white-yellow-pink-red, placed solitary. Fruits ca. 15 mm long, red-blue, dehiscent capsules, opening from base to tip.

Ecology
Usually in open places in scrub or disturbed mixed dipterocarp, keranga and swamp forests up to 500 m altitude. Mostly on alluvial sites with sandy soils, but also on hillsides and on clay.

Uses
The wood is used in house construction.

Distribution
Indo-China, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo (throughout the island).

Local names
Borneo: Cengkodo hutan, Dungohoi, Hingasong, Jingau, Lahumai, Sauma, Saumah, Srumah, Suama.