Barringtonia scortechinii King, J. As. Soc. Beng. 70, 2 (1901)
Named after B. Scortechini [1845-1886], an Italian missionary and plant collector.
Synonyms
Barringtonia scortechinii var. globosa Craib
Description
Spreading tree, usually 7-20 m tall, occasionally up to 40 m; bole 3-40(-73) cm in diameter, sometimes
with buttresses 2 m x 1 m x 5 cm; bark scaly, finely longitudinally fissured, brown or red, peeling off
in small flakes. Leaves subcoriaceous, glabrous, glossy bright green; petiole up to 5 cm long; blade
obovate to elliptical, 8-21 cm x 5-8 cm. Inflorescence a pendulous spike, up to 70 cm long and with up
to 65 flowers; calyx tubular with 3-4 lobes; petals 4, elliptical, 1.5 cm x 1 cm, greenish-white to
pink-red; stamens in 4-5 whorls, numerous, at base united in a staminal tube, inner whorl staminodial.
Fruit an ovoid, 1-seeded berry, 10-12 cm x 3-5 cm with 8 ridges, green with a reddish tinge; immature
fruits tetragonous with distinct wings on the edges which gradually disappear. Seed ovoid, 5-6 cm x 2 cm,
yellow-white. [from PROSEA]
Ecology
Occurs in primary and secondary forest in Borneo in low undulating country up to 1400 m altitude, in
Peninsular Malaysia in swampy forest and near rivers in hillside forest. Usually on hillsides and
ridges with sandy to clay soils.
Uses
The fruit can be used as a flavouring in food. Pounded seeds or bark are used as a fish poison in
Malaysia (they contain saponins). The wood is used as timber (putat).
Distribution
Peninsular Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Philippines.
Local names
Borneo: Langsat burung, Putat, Tempalang, Tempalong, Terakot.
Malaysia: putat gajah, putat tuba, putat hutan (Peninsular).
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