Volume 2 > Part 4 > Year 1981 > Page 454 > Symplocaceae > Symplocos

5. Symplocos cerasifolia Wall. ex DC.wfo-0000491203

Prod. 8: 257. 1844; Noot., Rev. Symploc.: 140. t. 7c–f. 1975.

Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.

Description : Tree to 25 m; twigs often spreadingly thin-pilose on innovations; growth discontinuous; terminal buds with many leathery scales, pilose or glabrous, the latter leaving obvious scars. Leaves spreadingly to more or less appressed-long-pilose beneath, especially on midrib and nerves, sometimes entirely glabrous, with cuneate base, sharply dentate margin and acuminate apex, 7–16(–22) by 2–5(–7) cm; acumen 12–22 mm; nerves 6–13 pairs, meeting in a distinct looped intramarginal vein; reticulation fine, prominent; petiole slender, 15–25 mm. Spike resembling a short cone in bud, becoming at most 3 cm long; axis ± appressed-long-pilose to densely pubescent; bracts broadly ovoid to orbicular boat-shaped, appressed (silky-) pubescent on the back, at least in the middle, ca 5 by 5 mm; bracteoles with same indumentum, narrowly elliptic, ca 3 mm long, both soon caducous. Calyx glabrous or slightly pubescent, 2.5–4 mm, the lobes initially 1–1.5 mm, becoming often as long as the calyx by tearing apart. Corolla ca 5 mm. Stamens 30 to more than 100. Disk glabrous. Ovary glabrous, 1–1.5 mm high; style glabrous, but the conical base sometimes hairy. Fruit ellipsoid, 22–40 by 8–18 mm; mesocarp thick, corky; stone with 8 high ridges, 3-celled with a central canal, often only one cell developed. Seed cylindrical, with straight embryo.

Thailand : PENINSULAR: Nakhon Si Thammarat (Khiri Wong).

Distribution : Malesia (Penang – type).

Ecology : In tropical rain forests, from low altitudes to 1,000 m.