Common Name:

General Information

Gonystylus affinis is a tree; it can grow around 20 - 50 metres tall. The straight bole is slightly fluted at the base, it can be around 25 - 80cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is an important source of ramin timber, which is both used locally and also traded internationally. The tree is heavily exploited for its wood[, ].
Gonystylus affinis has a wide native range but does not appear to be abundant across this. It is estimated that the population has declined by at least 30 - 40% over the last three generations as a consequence of over harvesting and habitat loss. Natural regeneration is potentially poor due to the decline in the number of seed bearing individuals. Legal and illegal logging are currently the greatest threat to the species due to the demand for the timber and pressure on declining wild populations. In Indonesia, the threat to the species is particularly high. The species is found on CITES Appendix II which will reduce the international demand and exportation of the species. The species is also at risk from continuing habitat loss and conversion. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southeast Asia - Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia.

Habitat

A mid-canopy tree in undisturbed mixed dipterocarp and keranga forests; usually growing on hillsides and ridges with sandy to clay soils; at elevations up to 300 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	32.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Found in the wild in both sandy and clay soils[].
A slow-growing plant[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The reddish wood is an important local source of ramin timber. It is used locally for house construction, and is also traded internationally[, , ].
We do not have any more detailed information for this species, but the general description of ramin timber is as follows:-
The heartwood is a creamy white to light yellow; it is not demarcated from the sapwood. The texture is fine; the grain straight or interlocked; the unseasoned wood has an unpleasant aroma. The wood is moderately heavy; moderately hard; not durable, being susceptible to fungi, dry wood borers and termites. It seasons somewhat slowly, with a high risk of checking but only a slight risk of distortion; once dry it is moderately to poorly stable in service. The wood can be workd with ordinary tools, though there is a risk of splinters in cross cutting; nailing and screwing are good, but require pre-boring; gluing is correct. The wood has a wide range of uses including for cabinet making, high class furniture, flooring, turnery, joinery and veneer[].

Propagation

Seed -

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