There are new Dipterocarp plants in the garden.
Here are some information about them:
Dipterocarpus rigidis is a large emergent tree to 50m tall; local name is keruing cogan, the shape of the leaf suggests the broad spear head (cogan) seen on Malay crests. It is found on the east coast of the peninsula, in particular on hills around Kemaman. It also occurs in Riau, Linggi, Borneo and the Anambas Islands.
Hopea apiculata, locally known as resak melukut, is a species endemic in the Kenas and Manong valleys in Perak, and on Bukit Long, Kelantan. The leaf is very like Neobalanocarpus heimii, and can be distinguished only by the ripple marks in the wood of H. apiculata.
Hopea helferi, locally called lintah bukit, is found in Langkawi and the northwest of the peninsula, and in Cambodia, Thailand, Burma and the Andamans.
Shorea leptoderma, a synonym for Shorea scrobiculata, or balau sengkawang, is a species of the Malay peninsula and Borneo, now critically endangered by habitat conversion (think oil palm) and logging.
Shorea peltata, known locally as meranti telepok because the leaves are peltate like the lotus, is found in eastern Sumatra, Borneo, and only in Johor in the peninsula in the Mersing Forest Reserve. It is classified as critically endangered by habitat conversion.
Shorea resinosa, meranti belang, referring to the stripes of the laminated inner bark. It is widely distributed but rare through Sumatra, the peninsula, and Borneo. This is another species critically endangered by habitat conversion.
Shorea siamensis, is known as temak batu, and occurs only in Langkawi in Semenanjung. Elsewhere it is found in Burma, Indochina and Thailand. It is common in the dry deciduous Dipterocarp forests of Myanmar. The species is well adapted to adverse conditions and may do well with climate change. It establishes a long tap root on germination and is deciduous in dry periods.
Shorea superba or selangan batu, is endemic to Borneo and is a vast emergent tree up to 75m tall with a bole 3m in diameter! It is preserved in some national parks, but elsewhere is endangered by land conversion.
Vatica cinerea, or resak laut, is usually a small tree on rocky headlands and exposed ridges, only occurring in Semenanjung in Kedah, Perlis and Langkawi. Elsewhere it occurs in southern Vietnam and Cambodia, and peninsular Thailand. It is one of the few Dipterocarps that thrive in an exposed location.