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.
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