Pouteria obovata (R. Br.) Baehni, Candollea 9 (1942)

Synonyms
Achras obovata F.Muell. ex Benth.
Chrysophyllum acuminatum Bojer [Invalid]
Chrysophyllum obovatum Wall. ex A.DC.
Hormogyne cochinchinensis Dubard
Planchonella argentea Pierre
Planchonella attenuata (A.DC.) Pierre
Planchonella bancana (Burck) Pierre
Planchonella chrysophylla (de Vriese) Pierre
Planchonella clarkeana R.Kumari & Thothathri
Planchonella cochinchinensis Dubard
Planchonella ferruginea (Hook. & Arn.) Pierre
Planchonella glabra (Ridl.) H.J.Lam
Planchonella indica (Burck) Pierre
Planchonella javensis (Burck) Pierre
Planchonella kingiana R.Kumari & Thothathri
Planchonella kingiana var. andamanica R.Kumari & Thothathri
Planchonella lanceolata (Burck) Pierre
Planchonella merrillii Dubard
Planchonella nodosa (Burck) Pierre
Planchonella philippensis Dubard
Planchonella obovata (R.Br.) Pierre
Planchonella polymorpha Dubard
Pouteria glabra (Ridl.) I.M.Turner
Pouteria obovata var. dubia (Koidz. ex Nakai) H.Hara
Sapota obovata (R.Br.) Radlk. ex Holle
Sersalisia ferruginea (Hook. & Arn.) Nakai
Sersalisia liukiuensis (Nakai) Nakai
Sersalisia obovata R.Br.
Sideroxylon ahernianum Merr.
Sideroxylon apoense Elmer
Sideroxylon argenteum Spreng. [Illegitimate]
Sideroxylon attenuatum A.DC.
Sideroxylon bancanum Burck
Sideroxylon brownii F.Muell.
Sideroxylon chrysophyllum de Vriese
Sideroxylon coriaceum Merr. [Illegitimate]
Sideroxylon dubium Koidz. ex Nakai
Sideroxylon ferrugineum Hook. & Arn.
Sideroxylon glabrum Ridl.
Sideroxylon glomeratum Volkens
Sideroxylon indicum Burck
Sideroxylon javense Burck
Sideroxylon lanceolatum Burck
Sideroxylon liukiuense Nakai
Sideroxylon merrillii (Dubard) Merr.
Sideroxylon nodosum Burck
Sideroxylon novoguineense K.Schum.
Sideroxylon obovatum (R.Br.) Sm. [Illegitimate]
Sideroxylon obovatum Burck [Illegitimate]
Sideroxylon obovatum Griff. [Illegitimate]
Sideroxylon obovatum var. ceramense Burck
Sideroxylon philippense (Dubard) Merr.
Sideroxylon timorense Blume ex Pierre
Sideroxylon undulatum Burck

Description
Small to medium-sized tree, to about 18m tall. The bark is ridged and fissured but not flaky, with low, sharp spreading buttresses. Crown is conical and appears coppery. This is because the twigs, buds, leaf stalks and undersides of the young leaves are rusty brown and scrufy. Leaves (15-25cm) upward pointing and spaced out along the twig (not in dense rosettes). The leaf shape varies, usually oval, slightly leathery dull green above and coppery brown below, arranged alternately. Flowers tiny (less than 1cm) greenish white, appearing in clusters in the leaf axils. The flowers are said to smell like pandan. Fruits small (1-1.2cm) and oval.

Ecology
This coppery tree is often seen on our wild shores: natural cliffs, rocky and sandy shores as well as secondary forests. In the wild, it originally also grew in the back mangroves.

Distribution
Coastal regions from Japan, to Taiwan, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines to Papua New Guinea, Australia and western Pacific. Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo (throughout the island).

Uses According to Burkill, the timber is heavy, pinkish brown and used for cabinet making and carving. The leaves are used in treatment for stomach ache, chest pains and poultices for lumbago.