Melanochyla scalarinervis

Melanochyla scalarinervis is a flowering plant in the family Anacardiaceae. It is native to Borneo.

Description

Melanochyla scalarinervis grows as a tree up to tall, with a trunk diameter of up to. The black bark is smooth. The leathery leaves are oblong measure up to long and to wide. The smooth, ellipsoid fruits measure up to long.

Taxonomy

Melanochyla scalarinervis was described by Malaysian botanist K. M. Kochummen in 1996 in Sandakania. The type specimen was collected in Sarawak. The specific epithet scalarinervis means 'ladder-like veins', referring to the leaves.

Distribution and habitat

Melanochyla scalarinervis is endemic to Borneo, where it is confined to Sarawak. Its habitat is in lowland dipterocarp forests, to elevations of.

Conservation

Melanochyla scalarinervis has been assessed as near threatened on the IUCN Red List. The species is confined to Semengoh Nature Reserve where it is currently protected. However, if this protection were to diminish, the species' habitat would probably experience logging and conversion of land for palm oil plantations.