Palaquium hexandrum

Palaquium hexandrum is a tree in the family Sapotaceae. The specific epithet hexandrum means 'six stamens', referring to the flowers.^[3]

Palaquium hexandrum
Conservation status
Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Sapotaceae
Genus:	Palaquium
Species:	P. hexandrum
Binomial name
Palaquium hexandrum (Griff.) Baill.[2]
Synonyms[2]
Croixia hexandra (Griff.) Baehni Dichopsis hexandra (Griff.) C.B.Clarke Isonandra hexandra Griff. Palaquium pisang Burck Payena griffithii Kurz

Description

Palaquium hexandrum grows up to 50 metres (160 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 120 centimetres (50 in). The bark is dark brown. The inflorescences bear up to 18 flowers.^[3] The edible fruits are round or ovoid, up to 3 centimetres (1 in) long.^[1][3]

Distribution and habitat

Palaquium hexandrum is native to Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. Its habitat is lowland forests, sometimes riverine.^[3]

Uses

The seeds of Palaquium hexandrum are used in cooking. The latex is used to make gutta-percha. The timber is harvested and traded as nyatoh.^[1]

Conservation

Palaquium hexandrum has been assessed as near threatened on the IUCN Red List. The significant threat to the species is deforestation: in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo for conversion of land to palm oil cultivation.^[1]