Payena obscura explained

Payena obscura is a tree in the family Sapotaceae, native to Southeast Asia.The specific epithet obscura means 'obscure', referring to the leaf veins.

Description

Payena obscura grows up to 30m (100feet) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to . The brownish bark is flaky to fissured. The leaves measure up to long. The bear up to nine flowers. Gutta-percha may be made from the .

Varieties

Two varieties of Payena obscura are recognised:

• Payena obscura var. havilandii – endemic to Borneo; in lowland dipterocarp forests to elevations of
• Payena obscura var. obscura – native to Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Sumatra; in lowland forests and in kerangas forests on ridges, to elevations of

Conservation

Payena obscura has been assessed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. It is threatened by logging and mining and by production of rubber and palm oil. The species is present in some protected areas, such as Taman Negara National Park in Peninsular Malaysia.