Melanochyla caesia

Melanochyla caesia is a flowering plant in the family Anacardiaceae. It is native to Southeast Asia.

Description

Melanochyla caesia grows as a tree up to tall, with a trunk diameter of up to. The brown or grey bark is smooth or scaly. The leathery leaves are lanceolate or oblong and measure up to long and to wide. The, in, feature yellow or white flowers. The smooth fruits measure up to long.

Taxonomy

Melanochyla caesia was first described in 1850 as Semecarpus caesius by botanist Carl Ludwig Blume in the journal Blumea. In 1978, Dutch botanist Ding Hou transferred the species to the genus Melanochyla. The specific epithet caesia means 'blueish', referring to the lower surface of the leaves.

Distribution and habitat

Melanochyla caesia is native to Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra and Borneo. Its habitat is in lowland dipterocarp and kerangas forests to elevations of.

Conservation

Melanochyla caesia has been assessed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Its habitat is threatened by deforestation, especially in Sumatra and Borneo. It is present in two protected areas.