Shorea fallax explained

Shorea fallax is a tree in the family Dipterocarpaceae, native to Borneo. The specific epithet fallax means "deceptive" and refers to the species initially being considered to be Shorea scaberrima.

Description

Shorea fallax grows up to 50m (160feet) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 1.30NaN0. It has buttresses up to 20NaN0 tall. The brown bark is flaky and cracked. The leathery leaves are ovate to oblong and measure up to 24cm (09inches) long. The inflorescences measure up to 22cm (09inches) long and bear up to seven yellow flowers.

Distribution and habitat

Shorea fallax is endemic to Borneo. Its habitat is mixed dipterocarp forests, to elevations of 500m (1,600feet).

Conservation

Shorea fallax has been assessed as least concern on the IUCN Red List. However, in Kalimantan it is threatened by conversion of land and by logging for its timber. The species does occur in a number of protected areas in Sabah and Sarawak.