Palaquium hexandrum
Species of tree
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Palaquium hexandrum is a tree in the family Sapotaceae. The specific epithet hexandrum means 'six stamens', referring to the flowers.[3]
| Palaquium hexandrum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Sapotaceae |
| Genus: | Palaquium |
| Species: | P. hexandrum |
| Binomial name | |
| Palaquium hexandrum | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Description
Palaquium hexandrum grows up to 50 metres (160 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 120 centimetres (50 in). The bark is dark brown. The inflorescences bear up to 18 flowers.[3] The edible fruits are round or ovoid, up to 3 centimetres (1 in) long.[1][3]
Distribution and habitat
Palaquium hexandrum is native to Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. Its habitat is lowland forests, sometimes riverine.[3]
Uses
The seeds of Palaquium hexandrum are used in cooking. The latex is used to make gutta-percha. The timber is harvested and traded as nyatoh.[1]
Conservation
Palaquium hexandrum has been assessed as near threatened on the IUCN Red List. The significant threat to the species is deforestation: in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo for conversion of land to palm oil cultivation.[1]
