Symplocos fasciculata

Symplocos fasciculata is a tree in the family Symplocaceae, native to tropical Asia. The specific epithet fasciculata means 'bundled' and refers to the inflorescence.^[2]

Symplocos fasciculata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Symplocaceae
Genus:	Symplocos
Species:	S. fasciculata
Binomial name
Symplocos fasciculata Zoll.[1]
Synonyms[1]
Serjania tinctoria Sandifort Dicalix tinctorius Blume Eugenioides fasciculatum Kuntze Symplocos phanerophlebia Merr.

Description

Symplocos fasciculata grows up to 23 metres (80 ft) tall, occasionally to 35 m (115 ft), with a trunk diameter of up to 45 cm (18 in). The smooth bark may be brown or grey, occasionally green. The twigs are somewhat zig-zag. The papery leaves, of varying shapes, measure up to 16.5 cm (6 in) long. The inflorescences feature fascicles of bundled racemes bearing white flowers.^[2]

Distribution and habitat

Symplocos fasciculata is native to the Nicobar Islands, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Java, the Philippines and Sulawesi.^[1] Its habitat is kerangas and mixed dipterocarp forests, at elevations to 1,700 m (5,600 ft).^[2]

Uses

In Java, the bark and leaves of Symplocos fasciculata are used to make dyes, including for batik. In local medicine, a powdered form of the bark is used as a remedy for sore eyes.^[3]