Mesua lepidota T.Anderson
Family
Guttiferae
Synonyms
Kayea lepidota (T.Anderson) Pierre, K. parviflora Ridl.
Vernacular Names
| Malaysia | Penaga bayan, penaga tikus (Peninsular). |
Geographical Distributions
Mesua lepidota is distributed throughout Malaysia (Peninsular), Indonesia (Sumatra).
Description
M. lepidota is a tree which is up to measure 20 m tall with trunk diametre of measuring 40 cm. The bole is fluted at the base and with adherent scaly bark. The inner bark is pink-brown in colour with translucent to clear, yellow and varnish-like exudate.
The leaves are arranged opposite, simple and entire. The petiole is a measure about 5 mm long. The blade is oblong-elliptical in shape, with a size of measuring about 8-15 cm x 3-5 cm, wedge-shaped base, slightly recurved margin and acuminate apex.
The inflorescence is a terminal or axillary umbel that consisting of 1-3-flowered racemes and up to measure about 6 cm long. The flowers are bisexual and on a pedicel with small paired bracts. There are 4 decussate sepals which are rounded and measure 5 mm in diamere. Petals are 4 in number, very narrowed at base with a roundish apical part which is measuring about 8 mm in diametre and white or pink in colour.
The fruit is a spherical capsule, with a size of measuring about 2.5 cm in diametre, thick and woody. It is seated on the persistent, usually reflexed and thick-woody sepals.
Ecology / Cultivation
M. lepidota grows in lowlands and plains, sometimes in seasonal swamp forest.
Line Drawing / Photograph
References
- Plant Resources of South-East Asia No. 18: Plants producing exudates.
