Byttneria maingayi (PROSEA)

Plant Resources of South-East Asia Introduction

List of species

Byttneria maingayi Masters

Family: Sterculiaceae

Vernacular names

• Malaysia: akar kachubong, akar batu, akar perut gagak.

Distribution

Peninsular Malaysia.

Uses

The tough stems are used for tying fences, for which purpose they are very suitable.

Observations

A stout, woody liana. Leaves alternate, simple; petiole about 2.8 cm long; blade elliptical to oblong, up to 20 cm × 9 cm, base rounded, apex shortly blunt-acuminate. Inflorescence an axillary, much-branched cyme; sepals 5, about 6 mm long, connate at base; petals 5, white, clawed, with 2 small side lobes and a long terminal appendage. Fruit a globose, spiny capsule, up to 3.2 cm in diameter, green with red ribs. B. maingayi is widespread in lowland forest margins. B. curtisii Oliver, a slender liana, less common than B. maingayi , may have similar uses.

Selected sources

20, 147.

Authors

M. Brink, P.C.M. Jansen & C.H. Bosch