Sterculia lanceolata Cav., Diss. 5 (1788)
Latin for 'lance-shaped' or narrow elongate, referring to the leaves.Synonyms
Helicteres undulata Lour.
Sterculia balansae Aug. DC.
Sterculia linearis Korth.
Description
Understorey tree up to 14 m tall and 25 cm dbh. Stipules ca. 5 mm long.
Leaves alternate, simple, penni-veined, glabrous. Flowers ca. 10 mm diameter,
yellow-red-purplish, placed in racemes to panicles. Fruits ca. 47 mm long, red,
dehiscent capsules with black seeds.
Ecology
In undisturbed to slightly disturbed (open sites) mixed dipterocarp and sub-montane
forests up to 1000 m altitude. Often along rivers and streams and on hillsides.
Also found on limestone. In secondary forests usually present as a
pre-disturbance remnant.
Uses
The bark fiber is used for making bags and paper.
Distribution
Sri Lanka to Southern China, Indo-China, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia,
Sumatra, Java, Borneo (throughout the island), Philippines, Celebes.
Local names
Borneo: Meleboh, Meleku, Saloh.
China: Jia ping po.
