Shorea seminis
(de Vriese) Sloot.
Ayer balau tree
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(c) Hakim, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Carolius Jose Raja, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Carolius Jose Raja, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Source: WikipediaShorea seminis is a species of tree in the family Dipterocarpaceae. It is native to Borneo and Palawan. Diptoindonesin A is a C-glucoside of ε-viniferin isolated from S. seminis.
Description
A large tree. It grows about 60 m tall. The trunk is 130 cm across. The stem has resin. The branches are about 25-30 m above the ground. It can have buttresses 2.5 m tall. The leaves are alternate and simple. They are oblong to sword shaped and 9-18 cm long by 3-8 cm wide. They are thinly leathery with 9-15 pairs of secondary veins. The flowers are about 3 cm across. They are yellow and in groups in the axils of leaves or towards the ends of branches. The fruit are about 1 cm across. They are yellow-brown. They have 3 longer calyx lobes 10 cm long by 1 cm wide and 2 shorter lobes.
Edible Uses
The fruit is processed for oil, and the seeds are eaten for their fat content.
Medicinal Uses
An edible fat obtained from the seed is easily absorbed by the skin. It can be used to treat skin problems and is often used as a carrier to apply other substances to the skin.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows in mixed forests up to 300 m above sea level. It can be up to 1,000 m above sea level. It is usually on alluvial sites. It is often along rivers.
Where It Grows
Asia, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Sarawak, SE Asia,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seeds and also from stem cuttings.
Propagation
We have no specific information for this species - the information below is a general guide for the genus. Seed - best sown as soon as possible. It does not require pre-treatment, but it is recommended to soak the seed for 12 hours prior to sowing. The seeds are sown in seedbeds, where they are covered with a mixture of sand and soil (1:1) or with a thin layer of sawdust. Germination of fresh seeds is usually good and rapid. About two weeks after germination, when the seedlings are 5 - 6cm tall, they are potted up into individual containers about 15 x 23cm with good drainage holes at their base. It is normally recommended to use a mixture of forest soil and sand (at a ratio of 3:1) as the potting medium in order to introduce the appropriate mycorrhiza to the roots. The seedlings are placed in 50 - 60% sunlight and watered twice daily. Seedlings can be planted out when 30 - 40cm tall - harden the seedlings off in full sunlight for one month prior to planting.
Other Uses
The seeds of many species in this genus, including this species, yield an oil that has an unusually high melting point and is solid at room temperature. Average yields range from 45 - 70% according to species. The fat is somewhat similar to Cacao butter (obtained from Theobroma spp.) and can be used in a variety of ways, often combined with cacao butter. In addition to it being edible, it has medicinal uses and can be used in making soap, candles, polishes and cosmetics. The seed is rather small, around 1cm long and wide. A resin is present in the trunk. The heartwood is pale grayish to yellowish gray; the moderately thick band of sapwood is light gray. The texture is fine to medium thick; the grain interlocked. The wood is hard to very hard; heavy to very heavy; very strong; durable even in the ground. It is largely used in permanent construction where strength and durability are essential.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Ajol, Bangkirai tanduk, Bung-kus, Engkagang chengai, Engkabang terendak, Pohon balau ayer, Pohon tengkawang ayer, Tegelam
References (9)
- Ashton, P.S., 1982, Dipterocarpaceae in Flora Malesiana 9(2) p 451
- Blicher-Mathiesen, U., 1994, Borneo Illipe, A Fat Product from Different Shorea spp. (Dipterocarpaceae). Economic Botany Vol. 48, No. 3, pp. 231-242
- Chai, P. P. K. (Ed), et al, 2000, A checklist of Flora, Fauna, Food and Medicinal Plants. Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary, Sarawak. Forestry Malaysia & ITTO. p 171
- Coolen, Q. T., 2013, The Illipe nut (Shorea spp.) as additional resource in plantation forestry. Van Hall Larenstein University and Sarawak Forestry.
- MacKinnon, K., The Ecology of Kalimantan. p 711
Show all 9 references Hide references
- Menninger, E.A., 1977, Edible Nuts of the World. Horticultural Books. Florida p 30
- Slik, F., www.asianplant.net
- Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 511
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
