Palaquium gutta (Hook.) Baill.
| Etymology | Genus | From the Philippine common name palak-palak |
|---|---|---|
| Species | From Malay Getah, meaning rubber | |
| Family | Sapotaceae | |
| Synonyms | Isonandra gutta Hook. | |
| Common Names | Gutta Percha | |
| Status | Native: Critically Endangered | |
| Form | Tree | |
| Native Distribution | Java, Sumatra, Malaya, Borneo | |
Diagnostics:
A forest tree of up to 30m, it can be found in our inland nature reserves. It is most distinct from the obovate leaves which are copper brown on the underside.
Interesting Facts:
This was one of the trees used to extract rubber from his sap, and led to great loss in numbers of this species in the forest in the region. There used to be a plantation at the foot of the path to Bukit Timah (Corner, 1997).
Bark, leaf upper and undersides.
Branching.
Leaves.
Leaves underside with flash to highlight the bronze colour.
References
Corner EJH. (1997) Wayside Trees of Malaya. Volume 2. 4th edition. The Malaysian Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur. 297 pp.
Author: Siyang
Posted: 2026-01-13
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