Symplocos cerasifolia Wall. ex DC, Prodr. 8 (1844)

Latin for 'cherry-leaved', referring to the leaves being similar to leaves of the cherry tree.

Synonyms
Bobua cerasifolia (Wall. ex DC) Miers
Eugeniodes cerasifolium (Wall. ex DC) O.K.

Description
Mid-canopy tree up to 31 m tall and 33 cm dbh. Stipules absent. Leaves alternate, simple, penni-veined, glabrous to hairy, margin toothed. Flowers ca. 7 mm diameter, white, placed in short racemes. Fruits ca. 26 mm long, green-blue, drupes.

Ecology
In undisturbed mixed dipterocarp, keranga and sub-montane forests up to 1000 m altitude. Usually on hillsides and ridges with poor sandy soils, but also on clay and limestone. In secondary forests usually present as a pre-disturbance remnant.

Uses
The bark is used as a mordant in tanning.

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

Local names
Borneo: Jirak, Madang.