Elaeocarpus cupreus Merr., J. Str. Br. Roy. As. Soc. 77 (1917)

Latin for 'copper coloured'.

Synonyms
Elaeocarpus fagaceus Knuth

Description
Sub-canopy tree up to 22 m tall and 25 cm dbh. Stipules dropped early. Leaves alternate, simple, penni-veined, long petioled, usually hairy below, margin mostly entire. Flowers ca. 10 mm in diameter, white-yellow, petal margins entire, placed in racemes. Fruits ca. 12 mm long, green, fleshy drupe.

Ecology
Undisturbed mixed dipterocarp forests up to 1300 m altitude. Mostly on hillsides and ridges with sandy to clayey soils. In secondary forests usually present as a pre-disturbance remnant tree.

Distribution
Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo (Sarawak, Sabah, East-Kalimantan).

Local names
Borneo: Empedok, Empedu, Emperdok, Mersasat, Sange.