Native Plants

Shorea sumatrana

Balau Sengkawang Ayer
EN
Endangered
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
ver 3.1, 2017
NT
Near Threatened
Malaysia Plant Red List
Peninsular Malaysia ver 3.1, 2021
QR Code
SSN 37837
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Taxonomy

The taxonomic status is pending for approval

Description

Shorea sumatrana is medium-sized growing up to 30 m high. The bole is a clear length or twisted by having a thin outer bark and dull brown inner bark. It is locally known as sengkawang or balau sengkawang ayer in Malay language. It is distributed from Sumatra, Peninsular Thailand, and Peninsular Malaysia. Hence, the species epithet, sumatrana refers to Sumatra, which was one of the locations where this plant was found (Flora & Fauna Web, 2022). In Peninsular Malaysia, it was recorded in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Johor and in the east coast region (Yong et al., 2021). The species can be found in lowland dipterocarp forests in low-lying, frequently swamp habitats along the river bank and also on land subject to inundation on the banks of slow-flowing rivers (Symington, 2004).

The shape of the fruit is sub-globose. The flower has a weak smell with yellow linear petals and tinged red at the base inside. The leaves are dark green, elliptic-oblong and glaucous below with no hairy domatia in the axils of veins (Wyatt-Smith, 1999). The wood is used for heavy construction such as bridges, railway sleepers, powerline posts, wagons, and fence posts (Flora & Fauna Web, 2022).

Habitats

No Description Suitability Seasonality
1
Forest → Lowland Dipterocarp Forest (Malayan, Burmese)
Unknown Unknown
References : http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes/habitats-classification-scheme-ver3

Assessment

Year Published Assessment Red List Category Version
2021 Malaysia Plant Red List
Near Threatened (NT)
Peninsular Malaysia
3.1
2017 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Endangered (EN)
3.1
2010 Malaysia Plant Red List
Near Threatened (NT)
3.1
1998 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Critically Endangered (CR)
2.3

Biodiversity Experts

Profile
Ahmad Aldrie Amir (Dr.)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
  • Vascular
  • Biodiversity
  • Climate Change
  • Conservation
  • Ecosystems
  • Environment
  • Evolution
  • Forest
  • History
  • Law and Policy
  • Management
  • Marine & Coastal
  • Protected Areas
  • Science
  • PM
  • SBH
  • SWK
  • SEA
  • W
Anisah Lee Abdullah (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
  • Coral Reefs
  • Vascular
  • Biodiversity
  • Climate Change
  • Conservation
  • Ecosystems
  • Environment
  • Geoinformatics
  • Management
  • Marine & Coastal
  • Protected Areas
  • Science
  • Technology
  • Water
  • PM
  • SBH
Asyraf Mansor (Dr.)
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
  • Palms
  • Vascular (Ecology)
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Ecosystems
  • Environment
  • Evolution
  • Forest
  • PM
Chong Ju Lian (Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
  • Mammals (Ecology)
  • Vascular (Ecology)
  • Invasive Alien Species
  • Protected Areas
  • Digital Sequence Information (DSI)
  • Marine & Coastal
  • Climate Change
  • PM
  • SBH
  • SWK
  • SEA
  • W
Kartini Binti Saibeh (Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
  • Vascular
  • Agriculture
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • SBH
Mohamad Azani Alias (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
  • Vascular (Taxonomy)
  • Vascular
  • Vascular
  • Amphibians
  • Amphibians
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Climate Change
  • Protected Areas
  • Forest
  • PM
  • SBH
  • SWK
  • SEA
Mohd Fahmi Abu Bakar (Ts. Dr.)
Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA)
  • Vascular
  • Digital Sequence Information (DSI)
  • Evolution
  • Genetics
  • Molecular
  • Systematics
  • PM
Mohd Norfaizal Ghazalli (Dr.)
Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI)
  • Vascular
  • Pitcher plants
  • Agriculture
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Ecosystems
  • Science
  • Systematics
  • Taxonomy
  • PM
  • SBH
  • SWK
  • SEA
Nazahatul Anis Amaludin (Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK)
  • Vascular (Ecology)
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • PM
Nor Ezzawanis Abdullah Thani (Mrs.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
  • Vascular (Taxonomy)
  • Digital Sequence Information (DSI)
  • PM
Nur Kyariatul Syafinie Abdul Majid (Ms.)
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK)
  • Vascular (Ecology)
  • Biodiversity
  • Climate Change
  • Conservation
  • Forest
  • Protected Areas
  • PM
Nur Supardi Md Noor (Dr.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
  • Palms
  • Vascular
  • Biodiversity
  • Climate Change
  • Conservation
  • Ecosystems
  • Environment
  • Forest
  • Management
  • PM
  • SBH
  • SWK
  • SEA
  • W
Rusea Go (Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
  • Orchids (Taxonomy)
  • Vascular (Taxonomy)
  • Vascular (Ecology)
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Environment
  • Forest
  • Management
  • Protected Areas
  • Climate Change
  • Invasive Alien Species
  • PM
  • SBH
  • SWK
Tam Sheh May (Dr.)
Taylor's University
  • Orchids
  • Vascular
  • Biodiversity
  • Data Analysis
  • Evolution
  • Genetics
  • Molecular
  • PM
Tan Swee Lian (Dr.)
Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM)
  • Vascular (Ecology)
  • Agriculture
  • Biodiversity
  • PM
  • SBH
  • SWK
Yong Kien Thai (Dr.)
University of Malaya (UM)
  • Moss
  • Vascular (Taxonomy)
  • Ferns (Taxonomy)
  • Protected Areas
  • Biodiversity
  • Conservation
  • Evolution
  • Taxonomy
  • PM
  • SBH
  • SWK
  • SEA
PM - Peninsular Malaysia; SBH - Sabah; SWK - Sarawak; SEA - Southeast Asia; W - World;

References

Article
  1. Ang, L.H., Ho, W.M. & Tang, L.K. (2017). Domestication of Ten Endemic, Endangered and Threatened Tree Species in a Degraded Terrestrial Ecosystem in Peninsular Malaysia. Seminar on Reclamation, Rehabilitation and Restoration of Disturbed Sites: Planting of National and IUCN Red List Species, 15-17 August 2017, Kuala Lumpur (14), 114-118
  2. Salleh, N., Azeman, S., Kiew, R., Kamin, I. & Chung, R.C.K. (2017). Plant Checklist of the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. One Ecosystem. 2 (e13708), 41. http://doi.org/10.3897/oneeco.2.e13708 — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
  3. Watling, R. & Lee, S.S. (1995). Ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with members of the Dipterocarpaceae in Peninsular Malaysia-I. Journal of Tropical Forest Science 7 (4), 657-669
Book
  1. FRIM : A Year of Colours, 2014. Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 127.
  2. Red List of Dipterocarpaceae, 2022. Botanic Gardens Conservation International. Richmond, UK. — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
  3. Chew, M.Y., Salleh, N., Azeman, S., Yap, J.W., Sam, Y.Y. & Chung, R.C.K. (2021). Wayside Trees: The Natural Pillars and Roofs of the Perdana Botanical Garden. Kuala Lumpur City Hall and Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 182.
  4. Chua, L.S.L., Suhaida, M., Hamidah, M. & Saw, L.G. (2010). Malaysia Plant Red List: Peninsular Malaysian Dipterocarpaceae. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) & Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 73, 146. — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
  5. Latiff, A. (2010). Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve: Green Lung of Kuala Lumpur. Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 100.
  6. Abd Rahman, K., Mohd Ghazali, H, Raja Barizan, R.S., Saiful Iskandar, K, Hamdan, O., Zainuddin, A.F. & Mohd Nasir, A.H. (2014). Pengukuhan Tebing Sungai Chini : Kajian Teknikal Usaha Sama NRE-JPSM-FRIM. pp. 152.
  7. Oldfield, S., Lusty, C. & MacKinven, A. (1998). The World List of Threatened Trees. World Conservation Press, Cambridge, UK. pp. 1-628.
  8. Ratnam, L. (1995). Windows on The Forest: Glimpses of FRIM for the Nature Loving Visitor, Issue/No. 1. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysia. pp. 143.
  9. Saw, L.G., Chua, L.S.L. & Nik, A.R. (2009). Malaysia: National Strategy for Plant Conservation. Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysia. pp. 61. — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
  10. Shaharuddin, M.I., Dahalan, H.T., Abdullah Sani, Shafie, Jalil, M.S., Faridah-Hanum, I. & Latiff, A. (2005). Taman Negeri Gunung Stong, Kelantan: Pengurusan, Persekitaran Fizikal, Biologi dan Sosio-ekonomi. Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 442.
  11. Yong, W.S.Y., Chua, L.S.L., Lau, K.H., Siti-Nur Fatinah, K., Cheah, Y.H., Yao, T.L., Rafidah, A.R., Lim, C.L., Syahida-Emiza, S., Ummul Nazrah, A.R., Nor-Ezzawanis, A.T., Chew, M.Y., Siti Munirah, M.Y., Julius, A., Phoon, S.N., Sam, Y.Y., Nadiah, I., Ong, P.T., Sarah Nabila, R., Suhaida, M., Muhammad-Alif Azyraf, A., Siti Eryani, S., Yap, J.W., Jutta, M., Azeman, S., Salleh, N., Kiew, R. & Chung, R.C.K. (2021). Malaysia Red List: Plants of Peninsular Malaysia, Volume 1, Issue/No. 1. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysia. pp. 107.
  12. Yong, W.S.Y., Chua, L.S.L., Lau, K.H., Siti-Nur Fatinah, K., Cheah, Y.H., Yao, T.L., Rafidah, A.R., Lim, C.L., Syahida-Emiza, S., Ummul Nazrah, A.R., Nor-Ezzawanis, A.T., Chew, M.Y., Siti Munirah, M.Y., Julius, A., Phoon, S.N., Sam, Y.Y., Nadiah, I., Ong, P.T., Sarah Nabila, R., Suhaida, M., Muhammad-Alif Azyraf, A., Siti Eryani, S., Yap, J.W., Jutta, M., Azeman, S., Salleh, N., Kiew, R. & Chung, R.C.K. (2021). Malaysia Red List: Plants of Peninsular Malaysia, Volume 1, Issue/No. 2. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysia. pp. 316, 753.
Magazine/Bulletin
  1. Durability of Timbers for Indoor Applications in Malaysia. Timber Technology Bulletin: Compilation of Timber Technology Bulletins 1995-2015 (57), 2016. Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Malaysia.
  2. Conservation Malaysia (25), 2017. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysia. — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
  3. Conservation Malaysia (30), 2019. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysia. — [ Adobe PDF (PDF) ]
  4. Timber Notes -Heavy Hardwoods (I). Timber Technology Bulletin: Compilation of Timber Technology Bulletins 1995-2015 (57), 2016. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysia.

Acknowledgements :- Ms. Aida Salihah Binti Abu Bakar, Ms. Ajla Rafidah Baharom, Ms. Anissa Huda Binti Rosli, Mrs. Aziemah Binti Kinan, Mr. Badrul Amin Bin Jaffar, Mrs. Faridah Anas, Mr. Hazrul Nizam Bin Abdul Aziz, Mr. Mohamad Amini Bin Nordin, Mr. Mohamad Nazrin Bin Ahmad Azmi, Ms. Nur Farahin Binti Mustafa, Ms. Nuralyaa Binti Jamalullail, Ms. Nurfadzilah Bt Azmi, Ms. Nurfarhana Hizan Binti Hijas, Ms. Nurul Aliya Imra Asyikin Binti Abd Murad, Ms. Siti Zubaidah Binti Abdul Latif, Mr. Tan Kok Kiat & Mr. Yasser Mohamed Arifin

Photo credit :- L.S.L. Chua, Tan Kok Kiat, Tan Sin Hoong & Yasser Arifin

Species Citation :- Shorea sumatrana. Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS). Accessed via https://www.mybis.gov.my/sp/37837. [Retrieved 30 November 2023].

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Website Citation: MyBIS (2023). Malaysia Biodiversity Information System. Published on the Internet https://www.mybis.gov.my/, Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Malaysia Biodiversity Centre & Forest Research Institute Malaysia. [Retrieved 30 November 2023].