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Dipterocarpus costulatus

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Dipterocarpus costulatus Slooten

Family Name: Dipterocarpaceae
Common Name: Keruing Kipas, Keruing Pekat, Keruing Ladan, Keruing Marakluang Keruing Mara Keluang, Keruing Paya

Dipterocarpus costulatus, also known as Keruing Kipas, is an emergent tree growing up to 50 m tall. It has leathery leaves with 11 – 14 pairs of prominent veins and produces winged fruit. It is prized for its hard timber which is often used for medium to heavy construction.

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Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form Tree
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Irregular
Maximum Height 50 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo.
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only)

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is a tree, up to 50 m tall and 1.2 m diameter, with buttresses. Bark is pale cream green coloured. Cut surfaces of the sapwood may exudate a sticky oil.
Foliage The leaves are broadly elliptic to ovate (12 – 20 cm long and 7 – 14 cm wide) and have a leathery texture. Each leaf has 11 – 14 pairs of prominent veins and parallel folds which gives it a corrugated or ribbed appearance. The underside of the leaf is smooth and without scales (glabrous). The leaf tip is obtuse to shortly acuminate while the leaf base is bluntly wedged shaped (cuneate). The leaf stalk (petiole) is 3 – 6 cm long. Buds occur at the end of the twigs and are protected by sheathing stipules. These stipules are strap shaped (lorate), up to 16 cm long and 2 cm wide. They are light coloured with a pastel pink tinge, especially during growing season. The inner surface of the stipule is densely covered with soft hairs (pubescent). When the stipules fall off, they reveal young folded leaves and another expanding bud, while leaving behind prominent stipule scars.
Flowers Flowers occur in a cluster (raceme) at the axillary position. Each inflorescence is up to 20 cm long and bearing flowers at about 4 cm interval. The flower bud can reach up to 3 cm long and 1.5 cm wide. Each flower has about 24 stamens with linear anther and an ovoid ovary which is densely covered with soft hairs (pubescent). Flowers are reportedly fragrant and bloom in the evening.
Fruit The fruit is woody and winged. Each fruit has 2 longer calyx lobes (about 20 cm long and 4 cm wide) and 3 shorter lobes (up to 7 cm long and 6 cm wide). The calyx tube is almost round (about 1.5 cm long and 2 cm wide), with 5 distinct flange-like median tubercles.
Habitat It is found in low-lying forest with nutrient poor soil and subjected to inundation, as well as hill forest, up to 600m in altitude.
Associated Fauna Flowers are reportedly pollinated by moths.
Cultivation It can be propagated by seed.
Etymology Genus Dipterocarpus is from Greek words "dipteros" which means 'two-winged' and 'karpos' which means 'fruit' and they refer to the character of the fruit. The specific epithet costulatus, in Latin, means ‘slightly ribbed’ with reference to the leaf blade appearance.
Ethnobotanical Uses Timber & Products: In Malaysia, it is one of the key sources of Keruing timber and the wood is often used for medium to heavy construction.

Landscaping Features

Landscape Uses Parks & Gardens

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna)
Seed or Spore Dispersal Abiotic

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate to Slow
Rootzone Tolerance Poor Infertile Soils
Propagation Method Seed

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Leathery
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip Acuminate, Obtuse
Foliar Base Cuneate

Non - Foliar and Storage

Trunk Type (Non Palm) Woody
Root Type Underground

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Axillary
Inflorescence Type Raceme
Flowering Period Every Few Years
Flowering Opening Time Night (dusk to dawn)
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Brown
Mature Fruit Texture(s) Leathery
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type
Seed Quantity Per Fruit Few (1-5)

References

References

Ashton, P.S. (1982). Dipterocarpaceae. In: van Steenis, C.G.G.J. (ed.) Flora Malesiana, ser.1, vol. 9, part 2, pp. 237–552, 575–600. The Hague/Boston/London: Martinus Nijhoff/Dr. W. Junk Publishers.

Ashton, P.S. (2004). Dipterocarpaceae. In: Soepadmo, E., Saw L.G. & Chung, R.C.K. (eds) Tree Flora of Sabah Sarawak, vol. 5, pp. 63–388. Malaysia: Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)/Sabah Forestry Department/Sarawak Forestry Department.

Soerianegara, I., & Lemmens, R.H.M.J. (Editors). 1993. Plant Resources of South-East Asia Volume 5 (1). Timber Trees: Major Commercial Timbers. Netherlands: Pudoc Scientific Publishers. 610 pages.

Symington, C.F., Ashton, P.S. & Appanah, S. (2004). In: Barlow, H.S. (ed.) Foresters’ Manual of Dipterocarps. Malayan Forest Records, no. 16, 2nd ed. Kuala Lumpur: Forest Research Institute Malaysia/Malaysian Nature Society. 

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Master ID 29649
Species ID 3958
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 02 September 2022.
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