Vatica rassak | |
---|---|
![]() | |
At Singapore Botanic Gardens | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Malvales |
Family: | Dipterocarpaceae |
Genus: | Vatica |
Species: | V. rassak
|
Binomial name | |
Vatica rassak | |
Synonyms[2] | |
|
Vatica rassak is a tree in the family Dipterocarpaceae, native to Maritime Southeast Asia. The specific epithet rassak is from resak, the species' Malay common name.[3]
Description
[edit]Vatica rassak grows up to 30 metres (100 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 70 cm (28 in). Its coriaceous leaves are elliptic to oblong and measure up to 32 cm (13 in) long. The inflorescences bear cream flowers.[3] In Borneo, a newly discovered, unnamed special caterpillar makes use of the poisonous resin from this tree to build a cocoon.[4]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]Vatica rassak is native to Borneo, Java, the Maluku Islands, Sulawesi, New Guinea and the Philippines. Its habitat is along rivers and in lowland dipterocarp forest, at altitudes to 400 m (1,300 ft).[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Barstow, M. (2018). "Vatica rassak". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T33152A68075897. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T33152A68075897.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Vatica rassak". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- ^ a b Ashton, P. S. (2004). "Vatica L.". In Soepadmo, E.; Saw, L. G.; Chung, R. C. K. (eds.). Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak. Vol. 5. Forest Research Institute Malaysia. pp. 381–382. ISBN 983-2181-59-3.
- ^ Symondson, William O. C.; Holloway, Jeremy D.; Goossens, Benoit; Müller, Carsten T. (Aug 2014). "Bornean caterpillar (Lepidoptera) constructs cocoon from Vatica rassak (Dipterocarpaceae) resin containing multiple deterrent compounds". Journal of Natural History. 49 (9–10): 553–560. doi:10.1080/00222933.2014.939731. S2CID 84977960.
Well, that’s interesting to know that Psilotum nudum are known as whisk ferns. Psilotum nudum is the commoner species of the two. While the P. flaccidum is a rare species and is found in the tropical islands. Both the species are usually epiphytic in habit and grow upon tree ferns. These species may also be terrestrial and grow in humus or in the crevices of the rocks.
View the detailed Guide of Psilotum nudum: Detailed Study Of Psilotum Nudum (Whisk Fern), Classification, Anatomy, Reproduction