Volume 7 > Part 3 > Year 2001 > Page 599 > Sterculiaceae > Pterocymbium

2. Pterocymbium tinctorium (Blanco) Merr.

Philip. Gov. Lab. Bur. Bull. 27: 24. 1905; Kosterm., Reinwardtia 1: 43. 1950.— Heritiera tinctoria Blanco, Fl. Filip.: 653. 1837. Fig. 90; Plate XX: E.

Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.

Synonyms & Citations :

Description : Tree, up to 30 m high, 250 cm girth, always with straight bole; bark browish-grey, distinctly camber-marked, inner bark whitish with yellowish sap; twigs stout, pubescent, with prominently raised, large leaf scars. Stipules subulate, caducous. Leaves ovate, cordate, 7–16 X 5–11 cm, apex acute; base truncate to cordate; subcoriaceous, glabescent; 3(–7) nerves at base, scalariform veins finely conspicuous on lower surface. Petiole 3–8 cm long, usually swollen near leaf base. Inflorescences terminal and axillary in upper leaf scars, slightly pendulous, up to 15 cm long. Buds ellipsoid, ca 10 x 6 mm, glabrescent except along edge of calyx lobes. Sepals 5, united in the lower half, funnel-shaped, up to 2 cm, hairy along margin. Male flower with (8–)10 stamens. Female flowers with 5 free carpels, obovate, pubescent, at the end of androgynophore; style hook-like, on side of carpels; stigma swollen, curved towards the base of style. Fruit a large boat-shaped follicle, with a hook or spur, membranous, 8–15 x 3–4 cm. Seeds 1–2 at base of follicle, wingless.

Thailand : Throughout the country.

Distribution : India, Malay Peninsula, Indochina, Indonesia, the Philippines (type).

Ecology : In tropical lowland forests to upper mixed deciduous forests, 5–800 m alt. Flowering and fruiting: January–April, deciduous before blooming.

Vernacular : Khang hung (คางฮุง), po i keng (ปออีเก้ง), po khi haet (ปอขี้แฮด), po khi kai (ปอขี้ไก่), po khi liat (ปอขี้เลียด), po kradang (ปอกระด้าง), po thong (ปอทอง)(Northern); po dan (ปอดาน), po khi koi (ปอขี้ขอย), po khi lin (ปอขี้เลิ้น)(Northeastern); kham rong (คำโรง), pho khi taek (ปอขี้แตก)(Eastern); bong (บง), kapong yai (กะพงใหญ่), meng (เหม่ง), mi khamram (หมีคำราม), oi chang (อ้อยช้าง)(Southeastern); malong (มะโหลง), pong (ปง)(Peninsular).

Uses: Wood whitish for plywood, boxes; bark mixed with dye to give a fast colour.