Cratoxylum sumatranum

Cratoxylum sumatranum is a species of flowering plant in the Hypericaceae family. Found in Southeast Asia, it grows up to tall and is harvested locally for timber and fuel.

Description

The tree may grow up to tall and diameter at [breast height], with cracked and fissured bark. The stems produce whitish-yellowish latex. The leaves have an opposite arrangement, are simple, elliptic and a glossy rich green. Its flowers are 5-parted and clustered on terminal panicles. They are small, reddish with white linings around the petals. The fruits, which appear in July, are approximately 8mm long, yellow-brown-black capsules, filled with many small winged seeds.

Taxonomy

The species was originally placed in the defunct genus Elodes under the name Elodes sumatrana. It was moved into Cratoxylum as C. sumatranum in 1856 by Carl Ludwig Blume. Two subspecies are recorded:

Cratoxylum sumatranum subsp. blancoi - Philippines
Cratoxylum sumatranum subsp. sumatranum - the nominate infraspecific - Malesia

Distribution and habitat

Cratoxylum sumatranum is indigenous to Southeast Asia, including Borneo, Malaya, and the Philippines. It is found in disturbed open areas, especially on hillsides and ridges on clay or sandy soils.

Uses

The plant is harvested locally and used for its timber and for fuel or charcoal. A 2021 study demonstrated that bark extracts from the species exhibited antimalarial capabilities in a laboratory setting, and could have applications as an antimalarial drug.