Blumeodendron kurzii (Hook.f.) J.J.Sm., Meded. Depart. Landbouw 10 (1910)

Named after S. Kurz [1834-1878], a German botanist who worked in Asia.

Synonyms
Blumeodendron cuneatum S.Moore
Blumeodendron philippinense Merr. & Rolfe
Blumeodendron subcaudatum Merr.
Blumeodendron subrotundifolium (Elmer) Merr.
Blumeodendron sumatranum S.Moore
Blumeodendron verticillatum Merr.
Mallotus kurzii Hook.f.
Sapium subrotundifolium Elmer

Description
Mid-canopy tree up to 36 m tall and 52 cm dbh. Twigs with strongly thickened nodes. Leaves in whorls, simple, penni-veined, glabrous, leathery. Flowers ca. 5 mm diameter, red-purplish, placed in bundles. Fruits ca. 28 mm long, green-yellowish, indehiscent capsules.

Ecology
In undisturbed mixed dipterocarp and sub-montane forests up to 1000 m altitude. Common on alluvial and dry (hillsides and ridges) sites. On sandy to clay soils, also on limestone. In secondary forests usually present as a pre-disturbance remnant tree.

Uses
Leaves are locally used as rain shelter (roofs).

Distribution
Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo (Sarawak, Sabah, Central-, South- and East-Kalimantan), Philippines.

Local names in Borneo
Kulobon, Medang, Pelai, Pelapi, Tanilung, Ukut.