Payena acuminata

Payena acuminata is a tree in the family Sapotaceae. The specific epithet acuminata means 'tapering to a narrow point', referring to the leaf apex.

Description

Payena acuminata grows up to tall with a trunk diameter of up to. The bark is brown. The inflorescences bear up to 20 flowers. The fruits are ellipsoid, and measure up to long.

Distribution and habitat

Payena acuminata is native to Peninsular Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, Java and Sumatra. Its habitat is mixed dipterocarp forests to altitude.

Uses

Payena acuminata is a source of gutta-percha. The timber is used commercially. The fruits are considered edible.

Conservation

Payena acuminata has been assessed as least concern on the IUCN Red List. However there are threats to some of the species' habitats. Forests in Borneo are threatened by logging and mining and by conversion of land for rubber and palm oil production. Forest cover in Sumatra has steadily decreased. Payena acuminata is specifically harvested for its timber and gutta-percha. The species is present in some protected areas, such as Taman Negara National Park in Peninsular Malaysia.