Rauvolfia sumatrana
Description
Tree (2.5-)5-20(-27) m high.
Leaves in whorls of 3 or 4;
Inflorescence (2.5-)5-21.5(-27) cm long, in whorls of 3-5(-6), 26-more than 35-flowered;
Sepals 1-2 by 1.4-2 mm, 0.5-1.3 times as long as wide, apex obtuse to rounded, rarely acute, glabrous.
Stamens inserted at 2.5-4.5 mm from base, 0.7-0.9 of the length of the corolla tube;
Fruit bluish black or purplish black when mature, syncarpous, variable in shape, globose, rounded, sometimes truncate, retuse or slightly cleft at apex, rarely ovoid or ellipsoid, 6.5-21 by 7-18 mm, 0.9-1.8 times as long as wide, connate for 6-11.7 mm, 0.9-1 of its length, distance between apices 2-3 mm, glabrous.
Seeds 1 in each endocarp, ovoid, acute, 3-9(-12) by 1-3.2 mm, 2.2-4 times as long as wide, glabrous.
Distribution
Asia-Tropical: Borneo present; Jawa (Jawa present); Lesser Sunda Is. present; Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia present); Maluku (Maluku present); Sulawesi (Sulawesi present); Sumatera (Sumatera present); Thailand (Thailand present), Burma present
Burma, Thailand; in Malesia: Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, Java, Sulawesi, Lesser Sunda Islands, Moluccas.
Morphology
Specimens from Flores tend to have a very short inflorescence, shorter than elsewhere. However, they show no significant differences in any other characters.
Uses
The bark is reportedly used as a laxative and to treat dysentery. Also reported to be anti-malarial. The wood is light but may be used for small objects such as knife handles.
Citation
Jack 1990: Checklist Kalimantan: 26
Whitmore & Tantra 1986: Checklist Sumatra: 20
Koord. & Valeton 1894 – In: Bijdr. Boomsoort. Java: 89
Jack 1989: Checklist Maluku: 14
Markgr. 1984 – In: Blumea: 167
Jack 1999 – In: PROSEA: 430
Merr. 1984 – In: Blumea: 165
Markgr. 1927 – In: Bot. Jahrb. Syst.: 189
K. Heyne 1927: Nutt. Pl. Ned.-Ind.,, ed. 2: 1286
M. Gangop. & Chakr. 1992 – In: J. Econ. Taxon. Bot.: 52
King & Gamble 1907 – In: J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal: 424
Backer & Bakh.f. 1965 – In: Fl. Java: 251
Kessler et al. 2002 – In: Blumea: 15
Burck ex Koord.-Schum. 1912 – In: Syst. Verz.: 174
Markgr. 1927 – In: Bot. Jahrb. Syst.: 189
Whitmore et al. 1989: Checklist Bali, Nusa Tenggara Timor: 14
Merr. 1923 – In: Enum. Philipp. Fl. Pl.: 329
J.A.R. Anderson 1980: Checklist Trees Sarawak: 149
Markgr. 1984 – In: Blumea: 164
Bakh.f. 1950 – In: Blumea: 386
Burkill 1916 – In: J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc.: 258
Boerl. 1899 – In: Handl. Fl. Ned. Ind.: 393
Koord.-Schum. 1912 – In: Syst. Verz.: 176
Koord. & Valeton 1894 – In: Bijdr. Boomsoort. Java: 93
P.S. Ashton 1988 – In: Man. non-Dipt. Trees Sarawak: 41
K. Heyne 1927: Nutt. Pl. Ned.-Ind.,, ed. 2: 1287
Merr. 1929: Pl. Elmer. Born.: 254
Hendrian & D.J. Middleton 1999 – In: Blumea: 462
Backer & Bakh.f. 1965 – In: Fl. Java: 231
Boerl. 1899 – In: Handl. Fl. Ned. Ind.: 393
Whitmore 1971 – In: Malayan Forest Rec.: 26
Masam. 1942: Enum. Phan. Born.: 624
Teijsm. & Binn. 1999 – In: PROSEA: 429
M.R. Hend. 1939 – In: J. Malayan Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc.: 57
Koord.-Schum. 1912 – In: Syst. Verz.: 175
Whitmore & Tantra 1989: Checklist Sulawesi: 15
D.J. Middleton 2004 – In: Tree Fl. Sabah & Sarawak: 47
H.O. Forbes 1885: Naturalist’s Wanderings E. Archipel.: 510
Fl. Ned. Ind. 1861: Eerste Bijv.: 228
Teijsm. & Binn. 1973 – In: Tree Fl. Malaya: 21
D.J. Middleton 1999 – In: Fl. Thailand: 53
Fl. Ned. Ind. 1861: Eerste Bijv.: 228
Ridl. 1923 – In: Fl. Malay Penins.: 336
Masam. 1942: Enum. Phan. Born.: 624
Whitmore et al. 1997: Checklist Irian Jaya: 16
Koord. 1894 – In: Meded. Lands Plantentuin: 81
Kerr 1939 – In: Craib, Fl. Siam. 2: 431
Boerl. 1900 – In: Bull. Inst. Bot. Buitenzorg: 12
Whitmore et al. 1989: Checklist Bali, Nusa Tenggara Timor: 14
Koord. & Valeton 1894 – In: Bijdr. Boomsoort. Java: 94
Jack 1989: Checklist Sulawesi: 15
Hassk. 1845 – In: Flora: 263 (= 295)
I.M. Turner 1997 – In: Gard. Bull. Singapore 47: 128
Masam. 1942: Enum. Phan. Born.: 623
Merr. 1921: Bibliogr. Enum. Born. Pl.: 500
G. Don 1838 – In: Gen. Hist.: 99
Whitmore et al. 1990: Checklist Kalimantan: 26
Koord. 1912 – In: Exkurs.-Fl. Java: 75
A.DC. 1844 – In: Prodr.: 337