Cratoxylum sumatranum

Cratoxylum sumatranum
File:Clusiaceae sp Blanco2.308-cropped.jpg
Conservation status
Least Concern Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malpighiales
Family:	Hypericaceae
Genus:	Cratoxylum
Species:	C. sumatranum
Binomial name
Cratoxylum sumatranum (Jack) Blume
Subspecies
Cratoxylum sumatranum subsp. blancoi (Blume) Gogelein Cratoxylum sumatranum subsp. sumatranum
Synonyms
Elodea sumatrana Jack subsp. blancoi Caopia arborescens Hypericum coccineum Wall. Blume Kuntze Cratoxylum punctulatum Ancistrolobus micradenius Elmer ex Merr. Cratoxylum blancoi Turcz. subsp. sumatranum Cratoxylum hornschuchii Blume Blume Blume (Blume) Merr. Cratoxylum arboreum Cratoxylum racemosum Elmer Cratoxylum celebicum Blume Ancistrolobus floribundus Hornschuchia hypericina Blume Turcz. Cratoxylum floribundum Cratoxylum clandestinum (Turcz.) Fern.-Vill. Cratoxylum hypericinum

Cratoxylum sumatranum is a species of flowering plant in the Hypericaceae family. Found in Southeast Asia, it grows up to 51 m (167 ft) tall and is harvested locally for timber and fuel.

Description

The tree may grow up to 51 m (167 ft) tall and 80 cm (31 in) 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 (approximately 8mm in diameter), 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 (Blume) Gogelein - 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.