Kulliyyah of Architecture & Environmental Design, IIUM

Descriptions

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Shorea hemsleyana is known by locals as Cengal Pasir Daun Besar or Meranti Daun Besar. This local name reflects the characteristics of the leaf which is large and hairy on the underside. The leaf is elliptic-oblong to obviate-oblong and acuminate, measuring 35x15 cm. The flowers are pinkish-red and can be found in abundance on the forest floor during its flowering season. The fruit is large with an ovoid or cylindrical nut and has rudimentary wings. Shorea hemsleyana is a large tree with a dense, hemispherical crown and can grow up to 20 metres tall.

 

The bole is cylindrical and straight with low, rounded buttresses and can reach 40 cm in diameter. This species is classified into two subspecies, namely S. hemsleyana ssp. hemsleyana and S. hemsleyana ssp. grandiflora. The former occurs in peninsular Thailand, Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia, whereas the latter is endemic to Borneo and has only been recorded from Sarawak and West Kalimantan. In Peninsular Malaysia, S. hemsleyana can only be found in Perak, mainly in swampy forest areas. It is now classified as critically endangered species due to logging and land conversion activities which cause forest fragmentation and habitat shrinkage (Chua et al., 2010).

 

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Bibliography:​

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1. https://www.frim.gov.my/colour-of-frim/shorea-hemsleyana-a-critically-endangered-tree/

2. Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2019-09-14. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Shorea+hemsleyana>

3. Chua, L.S.L., Suhaida, M., Hamidah, M. & Saw, L.G. (2010). Malaysia Plant Red List: Peninsular Malaysian Dipterocarpaceae. Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) & Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Malaysia, Malaysia. pp. 73, 146.

4. https://www.mybis.gov.my/art/132

5. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Shorea+hemsleyana

6. https://www.mybis.gov.my/art/132