Sindora siamensis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Sindora siamensis | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Genus: | Sindora |
| Species: | S. siamensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Sindora siamensis | |
| Synonyms | |
Sindora siamensis is a species of tree in the subfamily Detarioideae of the family Fabaceae (also known as the legume family). It has an accepted infraspecific, the variety S. siamensis var. maritima (Pierre) K.Larsen & S.S.Larsen. See taxon box to the right below, and below for details on the variety maritima. The nominate species (i.e. not the variety) is found in many countries in tropical Asia. Like several other species in the genus Sindora, its wood is considered valuable; the least concern conservation status[1] may reflect efforts to replant this species, but mortality rates are high.[4] As well as the wood, the plant provides raw material for chemical products, food and drink, and domestic utensils.
Sindora siamensis is a large evergreen tree. In Cambodia it grows 6-12m tall.[5][6] The fruit has thorns. The diameter at breast height of trees in forests of Kampong Thom Province, central Cambodia, ranges from 47 to 70 cm, averaging around 58±10 cm.[7]
Habitat and ecology
The tree is found in open semi-deciduous, seasonal tropical forests,[1] including open Dipterocarpus forests and secondary formations in Mainland Southeast Asia.[5]
It is preyed on by the moth Cladobrostis melitricha.[8] In Choam Takong (Khmer: choam = permanently inundated evergreen swamp forest), Stung Treng Province, northeastern Cambodia, S. siamensis is infrequently found growing up to 12m in seasonally inundated and upland (not inundated) areas, under a 30m canopy dominated by Shorea guiso, Myristica iners and Livistona saribus.[6]
Distribution
The plant is found in Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Bangladesh.[3] One of its localities in eastern Cambodia is Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary.[9] Large specimen trees and examples of replanting can be found in Cát Tiên National Park in Vietnam.
Conservation
While the plant is of Least Concern status in the IUCN RedList, there are ongoing threats of continuing decline in area, extent and/or quality of habitat.[1] Wood extraction is of particular concern. In Kampong Thom Province forests of central Cambodia, concessionary forest managers mainly cut the tree for wood rather than large numbers of illegal wood-cutters.[7]