A very variable species that might eventually be split into several distinct species, as the present species concept might be too wide[].

Common Name:

General Information

Gonystylus macrophyllus is a tree growing up to 45 metres tall. The bole can be up to 100cm in diameter, with buttresses up to 3 metres tall[, ].
The heartwood of infected trees is valued for its aroma and it is used locally as an incense, being sold in local markets. The wood is also an important source of the timber 'ramin', and is commonly harvested from the wild for local use and export.
Gonystylus macrophyllus is a widespread species with a population that is predicted to be substantial although it is considered to be in decline as a result of the loss of native habitat and also the targeting of the species for timber harvest. Decline is exacerbated by poor regeneration in the wild. Previously (1998) assessed as ‘Vulnerable’, the risk from logging is now reduced due to the listing of the species on CITES and also through national legislative measures. As a result of these protective measures, as well as the species distribution across many sites and islands and the variability of threat across the wide range of the species. it is no longer suspected that any population decline will exceed a threatened category.The plant is therefore classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines.

Habitat

Primary mixed dipterocarp and lower montane forests; at elevations up to 1,200 metres in Sumatra and to 1,500 metres in the Philippines[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	35.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist tropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 1,700 metres[].
The plant is found in the wild on both clay and sandy soils[].
Unusually for this genus, the seed of this species can be dispersed by bats. It is thought that this has two benefits to the tree; firstly that the seed gets dispersed away from the mother tree and secondly, the seed is not harmed in the process as it is often dropped prior to further predation since the bats whom pick up the seed are small and cannot hold the seed for long periods[]

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The smoke from the burning, aromatic wood is used as a treatment for asthma[, ].

Other Uses

A fragrant resin is produced in the heartwood of older trees infected with a fungus. Highly valued, it is used as an incense and to make high quality perfumes etc[, ].

The wood is an important source of the timber ramin[]. It is hard and fine grained[]. It is used for making boards, posts, small boxes etc[, ].
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[].
Ramin timber is a whitish, light-weight wood that is highly prized and popular as a decorative cabinet wood. The timber is also widely used in the manufacture of furniture and various items of interior decoration such as wall-panelling, light flooring, turnery, venetian blind slats, picture frames, drawing boards, and a few others. In construction industry, the timber is commonly used for making planks, door and window frames, mouldings, skirtings, ceilings, partitionings, and others. Ramin timber is also highly suitable for veneer, plywood, block-board, and particle-board manufacture[].

Propagation

Seed -

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