Payena acuminata (Blume) Pierre, Bull. Mens. Soc. Linn. Paris 1 (1885)

Latin for 'pointed', referring to the leaf tip.

Synonyms
Bassia balem Miq.
Bassia junghuhniana de Vriese
Bassia sericea Blume
Isonandra pulchra Burck
Isonandra sumatrana (Miq.) Burck
Kaukenia acuminata (Blume) Kuntze
Madhuca acuminata (Blume) Baehni
Mimusops acuminata Blume
Payena acuminata var. acuminata (Blume) A.Bruggen
Payena acuminata var. pulchra (Burck) A.Bruggen
Payena balem (Miq.) Pierre
Payena junghuhniana (de Vriese) Pierre
Payena ornata S.Moore
Payena sericea (Blume) H.J.Lam [Illegitimate]
Payena sericea var. pulchra (Burck) H.J.Lam
Payena sericea var. typica H.J.Lam
Payena stipularis Burck
Payena sumatrana Miq.
Payena suringariana Burck
Payena teysmanniana Pierre

Description
Upper canopy tree up to 42 m tall and 42 cm dbh. Stem with white sap. Stipules ca. 4.5 mm long. Leaves alternate, simple, penni-veined, but venation barely visible, lower surface yellow-silvery hairy. Flowers ca. 12 mm diameter, white, placed in axillary bundles. Fruits ca. 35 mm long, silvery-brown, drupes.

Ecology
In undisturbed mixed dipterocarp forests up to 600 m altitude. Usually on alluvial sites, but also on hillsides with sandy soils. In secondary forests usually present as a pre-disturbance remnant.

Uses
The timber is used. The latex is used as 'gutta percha' rubber. The fruits are edible.

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

Local names
Borneo: Bee-taul, Malau pedara, Natu, Nyatoh, Nyatoh merah, Nyatoh rian.