1153. Anisoptera megistocarpa Slooten

Abstract

Anisoptera megistocarpa Slooten, a large tree of the lowland undulating forests, and low hills of northern Sumatra, southeastern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, is described and illustrated. This species has a massive, buttressed trunk reaching a height of 50 m, 4 m girth and an emergent crown. The reddish-brown undersurface of the leaves forms the diagnostic dark crown, distinguishing it from surrounding canopies. As with many species of trees of the aseasonal Southeast Asian rain forests, Anisoptera megistocarpa flowers and fruits synchronously, during a remarkable event known as mast fruiting. Its large, spectacular 2-winged fruits are unmistakable. Rampant deforestation has led to the decline of this species while lack of horticultural know-how hampers ex situ conservation efforts. The challenges faced in its conservation (both in and ex situ) are discussed and a possible solution to produce sustainable supply of seedlings for planting is proposed.