Hopea griffithii explained

Hopea griffithii is a tree in the family Dipterocarpaceae. It is named for the British doctor and naturalist William Griffith.

Description

Hopea griffithii grows as a canopy tree, up to 40m (130feet) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 60cm (20inches). It has flying (detached) buttresses and stilt roots up to 10NaN0 tall. The bark is smooth. The leathery leaves are lanceolate to ovate and measure up to 9cm (04inches) long. The inflorescences measure up to 2.5cm (01inches) long and bear up to five dark red flowers. The nuts are egg-shaped and measure up to 0.7cm (00.3inches) long.

Distribution and habitat

Hopea griffithii is native to southern Myanmar, southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Borneo. Its habitat is mixed dipterocarp forests, to elevations of 500m (1,600feet).

Conservation

Hopea griffithii has been assessed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. It is threatened by land conversion for agriculture and by logging for its timber. The species is found in some protected areas, particularly in Sarawak.