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Dipterocarpus sublamellatus

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Dipterocarpus sublamellatus Foxw.

Family Name: Dipterocarpaceae
Common Name: Keruing Kerut

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form Tree (Big (>30m))
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic

Biogeography

Native Distribution Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Native to Singapore (Endangered (EN))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form A tall emergent tree. 
Trunk Bark is reddish and peeling in small flakes.
Foliage Leaves are green, glabrous, ovate to elliptical (5 – 16 cm long and 3.5 – 8 cm wide) with clear venation. Leaf margin is plicate (almost like being folded) and petiole (1.4 – 3 cm long) is reddish brown. Leaf buds and stipules are very hairy on the outer surface but smooth on the inner surface. 
Flowers Mass flowering once every few years in an event known as "seed masting". 
Fruit Fruit has 5 folded ridges along the fruit case. It has 2 sepals that are enlarged (12 cm long and 3 cm wide), forming the "longer wings"; while the remaining 3 remain small (0.5 cm long and 0.7 wide). Fruit turned from reddish green to reddish brown when dried.
Habitat Lowland rainforests
Etymology Greek di, two; Greek pteron, wing; Greek karpos, fruit, referring to the two-winged fruit;  sublamellatus refers to the wavy ridges on the fruit. "Keruing" refers to the group of large forest trees of the Dipterocarpaceae family in the Malesia region. 
Ethnobotanical Uses Timber & Products: The genus Dipterocarpus produces a moderately hard to hard timber that is known commercially as keruing. The wood is used for general purpose in building construction. Resin of Dipterocarpus sublamellatus is almost colourless. 
Cultural / Religious: Heritage Tree :  There is currently one individual of Dipterocarpus sublamellatus listed as a Heritage Tree in Singapore. It can be found at Changi. To find out more about this tree, please visit the Heritage Tree Register.

Landscaping Features

Landscape Uses Parks & Gardens

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Seed or Spore Dispersal Abiotic

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Propagation Method Seed

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Elliptical)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Base Cuneate

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flowering Period Every Few Years
Flower Colour(s) Remarks Pinkish-yellow

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Brown

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 29654
Species ID 3963
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: 10 August 2022.
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