This species has often been treated as no more than a synonym of Scaphium macropodum (Miq.) Beumée ex K.Heyne. However, we are following the treatment in 'Scaphium affine(Mast.) Pierre (Sterculiaceae) new for Thailand'[] which views them as two distinct, but closely related, species[].

Common Name:

General Information

Scaphium affine is a deciduous tree with a conical to rounded crown; it can grow from 18 - 40 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be up to 85cm in diameter, sometimes with thick buttresses up to 250cm high, 120cm out from the tree and 12cm thick[, , ].
The seeds of all the species in this genus are commonly harvested from the wild, both forr local use and also in large quantities for trade. They have various medicinal attributes and are also used to make a popular health drink, The trees are also harvested for their wood, which is used locally and also traded[].
This species has been heavily exploited, and trees only flower every 1 - 3 years. Hence the number of mature trees is very low. It is often found in protected areas and conserved in some concession areas, but it is threatened by the destructive practice of chopping down the tree to collect the fruit[].
Although Scaphium affine is found in forest which is under threat from logging and other human disturbances its wide distribution means a conservation status of Least Concern is most appropriate[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southeast Asia - Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia.

Habitat

Usually found growing along rivers or in transitional areas between swampy wetlands and dry loamy areas, which are flooded for short periods, in deciduous lowland forests at elevations between 700 - 800 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	30.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of moderate elevations in the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 800 metres[, ]. It grows in areas where the mean annual rainfall is in the range 1,500 -2,500 mm[].
Requires a shady position[]. Grows best in a fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered position[]. Found in the wild in both clay and sandy soils[].

Edible Uses

The seed coat of all species in the genus contains large mucilage-sacs which, when placed in water, swell up to eight times their original volume to yield a transparent, mucilaginous gel[, , ]. This is removed from the seeds, mixed with the soaked seeds of basil (Ocimum spp.) and made into a refreshing drink[, ].

Medicinal

The seed coat of all species in the genus contains large mucilage-sacs which, when placed in water, expand to produce a jelly-like substance[]. This is used as a febrifuge and also to treat complaints such as coughs and asthma; diarrhoea and dysentery; and also as a remedy for pharyngitis and sore throats[, , ]. It probably works by coating the affected area in a soothing, healing mucilage and thus giving it an opportunity to recover[].

The dried, ripe seeds are used in the treatment of constipation[]

Other Uses

The fibrous bark is sometimes used for walls in temporary local houses[].

The wood of all species in this genus is very similar and no distinction in use is made between them[]. The wood is often traded; in Malaysia it is known as 'kembang semangkok', in Indonesia as 'kapas-kapasan', in Thailand as samrong. The following is a general description of the wood:-
The heartwood is light yellow to light brown, with a large silver figure; it is not clearly demarcated from the sapwood. The texture is medium to slightly coarse and uneven; the grain straight or shallowly interlocked. The wood is light to moderately heavy; soft to moderately hard; fairly strong; somewhat resistant to fungi but susceptible to dry wood borers. It seasons fairly rapidly, with very little risk of checking and distortion; once dry it is moderately stable to stable in service. Because of its high silica content, it has a blunting effect on tools and so stellite-tipped and tungsten carbide tools are recommended. It is easy to work, nailing and screwing are good; gluing is correct; planing is easy and the surface produced is generally smooth. Considered a light hardwood, it has a very attractive figure, making the timber very suitable for interior finishing, panelling, furniture components etc, It is also used in construction, for joinery, boxes and crates, flooring, matches, plywood etc. Logs can be easily peeled to various thicknesses of veneers without any form of pretreatment - the veneers produced are found to be smooth and tight. Attractive ornamental figures can be found on the veneer surfaces and the veneer can be glued fairly easily[, , , , ].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

A physical dormancy caused by the hard seed coat of the mature seeds of many species in this genus can be overcome by scarifying the seed. This is carried out by cutting away or abrading some of the seed coat to allow the ingress of water, though great care must be taken not to damage the embryo[]. The aril surrounding the seed should also be removed - this is easiest when it has been softened through soaking in water[]. The seeds germinate optimally at temperatures between 20 - 30°c. They can be sown in a nursery seedbed or in containers. A germination rate of about 95%, occurring within about 2 weeks can be expected if the seed has been properly treated[].

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