Symplocos fasciculata explained

Symplocos fasciculata is a tree in the family Symplocaceae, native to tropical Asia. The specific epithet fasciculata means 'bundled' and refers to the inflorescence.

Description

Symplocos fasciculata grows up to 23m (75feet) tall, occasionally to, with a trunk diameter of up to . The smooth bark may be brown or grey, occasionally green. The twigs are somewhat zig-zag. The papery leaves, of varying shapes, measure up to long. The inflorescences feature fascicles of bundled racemes bearing white flowers.

Distribution and habitat

Symplocos fasciculata is native to the Nicobar Islands, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Java, the Philippines and Sulawesi. Its habitat is kerangas and mixed dipterocarp forests, at elevations to .

Uses

In Java, the bark and leaves of Symplocos fasciculata are used to make dyes, including for batik. In local medicine, a powdered form of the bark is used as a remedy for sore eyes.