Gmelina elliptica J.E. Smith
Family
Verbenaceae
Synonyms
Gmelina villosa Roxb., Gmelina asiatica L. var. villosa (Roxb.)
Vernacular Names
| Malaysia | Bulangan, belongeh, pukang matahari (Peninsular). |
| Indonesia | Wareng (Javanese, Sundanese), bulangan (Madurese, Malay), pongranga (Buginese). |
| Philippines | Talungud (Sulu), bohol (Cebu Bisaya), kalun-gun (Panay Bisaya). |
| Thailand | Khaang maeo (Central, Peninsular), kra bia luenag (Eastern), nom maeo (South-western, Peninsular). |
| Vietnam | Tun[us] l[as] b[aaf]u d[uj]c. |
Geographical Distributions
Gmelina elliptica is found in Thailand, Indo-China, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Description
G. elliptica is an evergreen shrub or small tree measuring up to 10 m tall, with spines and the light grey bark becomes fissured. The twigs are hairless and densely covered with short soft hair when young.
The leaves are ovate or elliptical, entire, sometimes 3-lobed, measure 3-9 cm x 2-5.5 cm; its base is wedge-shaped while its apex is acute, hairless above, densely covered with short soft hairs and pale bluish-green below with minute green glands at base.
The raceme is terminal, measuring up to 10 cm long with rather large bracts and sepals measure about 5 mm long, usually 4-lobed, with large glands. The 2-4 cm long petal is yellow. The upper lip is entire while the middle lobe of the 3-lobed lower lip is larger than other lobes, and densely covered with short soft hairs.
The drupe is yellow, spherical and measures about 2 cm long.
Ecology / Cultivation
G. elliptica is common in open secondary vegetation especially near the coast and in Java is from sea-level up to 500 m altitude.
Line Drawing / Photograph
References
- Plant Resources of South-East Asia No 12(2): Medicinal and poisonous plants 2.
