Urophyllum arboreum (Reinw. ex Blume) Korth., Ned. Kruidk. Arch. 2 (1851)

Latin for 'tree-like'.

Synonyms
Axanthes arborea (Reinw. ex Blume) Blume
Schwenkfelda glabra (Jack ex Wall.) Spreng.
Urophyllum glabrum Jack ex Wall.
Urophyllum repandulum Miq.
Wallichia arborea Reinw. ex Blume

Description
Understorey tree up to 11 m tall and 24 cm dbh. Stipules ca. 12 mm long, needle-like. Leaves opposite, simple, penni-veined, glabrous. Flowers ca. 4 mm diameter, white-yellowish, with very short corolla tube, placed in axillary bundles or short cymes. Fruits ca. 5 mm diameter, orange, berries.

Ecology
In undisturbed mixed dipterocarp, keranga and sub-montane forests up to 1200 m altitude. On hillsides and ridges, but also common along rivers and streams. On clay to sandy soils. In secondary forests usually present as a pre-disturbance remnant.

Distribution
Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo (throughout the island).

Uses
The bruised leaves smell strongly of cloves and are used as a spice and medicinally in Java. The wood can be used in house building and lasts 4-5 years when exposed.

Local names
Borneo: Kayu basak, Sabal-bubu.
Indonesia: ki cengkeh (Sundanese).