This species is doubtfully distinct from Shorea seminis[].

Common Name:

General Information

Shorea sumatrana is a medium to large-sized tree. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 115cm in diameter with prominent buttresses[].
The tree is harvested from the wild as a commercial source of the timber 'Red Balau'[]. It also yields an oil from the seeds which is used locally.
The plant is classified as 'Critically Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia.

Habitat

Alluvium banks of sluggish but not brackish rivers, sometimes semi-gregarious[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Critically Endangered
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	0.00 m
Pollinators	Thrips
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

A vegetable fat obtained from the seed can be used as a substitute for cocoa butter (obtained from Theobroma spp)[].

Medicinal

An edible fat obtained from the seed is easily absorbed by the skin. It can be used to treat skin problems and is often used as a carrier to apply other substances to the skin[].

Other Uses

The seeds of many species in this genus, including this species, yield an oil that has an unusually high melting point and is solid at room temperature[, , , ]. Average yields range from 45 - 70% according to species[]. The fat is somewhat similar to Cacao butter (obtained from Theobroma spp.) and can be used in a variety of ways, often combined with cacao butter. In addition to it being edible, it has medicinal uses and can be used in making soap, candles, polishes and cosmetics[, ]. The seed is rather small, around 1cm long and wide[].

The wood is a source of the timber 'Red Balau'[]. We do not have a specific description for the wood of this species, but the general description of red balau is as follows:-
The heartwood is light to dark red-brown, or purplish red-brown to grey-brown; it is clearly demarcated from the 3 - 8cm wide band of sapwood. The texture is medium; the grain interlocked. The wood is heavy, hard, moderately durable, being resistant to dry wood borers and moderately resistant to fungi and termites. The wood seasons slowly with a high risk of distortion and checking; once dry it is moderately stable in service. It has a fairly high blunting effect upon tools, power-driven stellite-tipped and tungsten carbite tools are recommended; nailing and screwing are good, but pre-boring is necessary to avoid splitting; gluing is correct for interior purposes[]. The wood has a variety of uses including light construction, flooring, exterior joinery, musical instruments, boxes and crates etc[].

Propagation

We have no specific information for this species - the information below is a general guide for the genus.

Seed - best sown as soon as possible. It does not require pre-treatment, but it is recommended to soak the seed for 12 hours prior to sowing[]. The seeds are sown in seedbeds, where they are covered with a mixture of sand and soil (1:1) or with a thin layer of sawdust[]. Germination of fresh seeds is usually good and rapid. About two weeks after germination, when the seedlings are 5 - 6cm tall, they are potted up into individual containers about 15 x 23cm with good drainage holes at their base[]. It is normally recommended to use a mixture of forest soil and sand (at a ratio of 3:1) as the potting medium in order to introduce the appropriate mycorrhiza to the roots. The seedlings are placed in 50 - 60% sunlight and watered twice daily[].
Seedlings can be planted out when 30 - 40cm tall - harden the seedlings off in full sunlight for one month prior to planting[].

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