Pentaspadon

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Pentaspadon

Description

Mostly large, deciduous trees. Leaves spiral, imparipinnate, petioled. Inflorescences axillary, paniculate. Flowers bisexual. Petals 5, imbricate, papillose on both surfaces. Stamens 5, opposite the calyx lobes and alternate with 5 staminodes (absent in extra-Mal. sp.), all inserted at the outer base of the disk; Ovary subglobose, pilose, usually glabrescent, 1-celled; Seed with testa free from the endocarp;

Distribution

Asia-Tropical: Borneo present; Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia present); Maluku (Maluku present); New Guinea present; Sumatera (Sumatera present); Thailand (Thailand present); Vietnam (Vietnam present), SE. Asia present, Solomon Is present
Species 6, in SE. Asia (Thailand, Vietnam), Malesia (Sumatra, Malay Peninsula, Borneo, the Moluccas, and New Guinea), and the Solomon Is.

Taxonomy

MARCHARD l.c. was the first to identify Nothoprotium MIQ., which was assigned to Burseraceae, with Pentaspadon; he accepted the latter name, being under the impression that it had priority. CORNER () demonstrated that the distinction of Microstemon ENGL. was due to erroneous observation.

Uses

The timber of P. motleyi and P. velutinus (trade name for both species in Malaya: pelong) is reported to be non-durable. The wood is moderately hard and moderately heavy and is used for cheap flooring; cf. .
An oil, obtained from P. officinalis (= P. motleyi), known as minyak plang in Perak, Malaya, m. pelandjau in Borneo, is used for curing certain skin diseases; cf. . CORNER () says that "the oil in Malaya is obtained by hacking a basin-like cavity in one side of the trunk and allowing the oil to drain slowly into it, exactly as damar is collected from Dipterocarpus trees." LANE-POOLE () reported that the wood of P. motleyi contains abundant oil which is heavy and misty brown in colour and "resembles motor lubricating oil as used for cylinders". He did not mention any use of it.
The fruits of P. motleyi are edible after boiling.

Citation

Miq. 1869 – In: Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugd.-Bat.: 89
Engl. 1883 – In: DC., Mon. Phan. 4: 294
ENGL 1883 – In: DC., Mon. Phan. 4: 293
Corner 1939 – In: Gard. Bull. S. S.: 261
MARCH. 1869: Rév. Anacard.: 90, 183
TARD. 1962 – In: Fl. C. L. & V.: 190