Family Thymelaeaceae

Aquilaria malaccensis

gaharu

India to Philippines. Throughout Malaya, exc. Perlis and Kedah (extinct on Langkawi). Lowlands to 750m. Common, but scattered. Leaves elliptic oblong, suddenly narrowing to long pronounced tip. Wood sometimes produces gaharu, a resinous heartwood, very valuable, making oil for incense used much in native medicine.

Gonystylus affinis
ramin dara elok

W. coast, Kedah to n. Johor. Hillsides and ridges to 300m. Med tree. Inflorescence terminal to 15cm., golden velvety. Roundish fruits to 4cm., seeds more than half covered by orange aril.

Gonystylus bancanus
ramin melawis

Peatswamps, Perak to W. Johor, seasonal swamps, Selangor. SE Sumatra, Banka, Borneo. Locally common, and the most important source of ramin timber in Sarawak.

Gonystylus confusus

ramin pinang muda

Malaya, Sumatra. Common in low undulating forest. To 30m, 2m girth. Bark with long adherent scales. Leaves oblong elliptic. Inflorescence terminal, roundish fruit.

Gonystylus maingayi
ramin pipit

Sumatra, Malaya. Lowland forest, uncommon. Small to big tree, to 40m, 2.4m girth. Sm. elliptic leaves, pointed, base rounded. Inflorescence terminal, to 15cm. w/ numerous short branches. Seeds with partially covering orange aril.