Shorea parvifolia

Shorea parvifolia is a species of tree in the family Dipterocarpaceae, commonly known as light red meranti and white lauan. It is native to tropical southeastern Asia.

Shorea parvifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Dipterocarpaceae
Genus: Shorea
Species:
S. parvifolia
Binomial name
Shorea parvifolia

Description

Shorea parvifolia develops into a large forest tree up to 65 m (210 ft) tall with a wide crown. The trunk can grow to a diameter of 2 m (7 ft) with large buttresses up to 4 m (13 ft) high,[2] but most of the largest trees have been selectively logged, leaving behind more modest specimens.[1]

Distribution and habitat

Shorea parvifolia is native to Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, Borneo and Sumatra. It is one of the commonest dipterocarp species in lowland forests in the region, growing at altitudes of up to 800 m (2,600 ft).[1] It grows on both clayey and sandy soils, in swampy areas and riverbanks, and on drier hillsides and ridges.[2]

Ecology

This tree flowers in an irregular cycle lasting three to seven years, with all the trees flowering simultaneously. Pollination is mostly performed by beetles and thrips. The fruits have wings but mostly land within 30 m (100 ft) of the parent tree. When the seeds falls on fallow land, the saplings do not at first grow as fast as the pioneer species such as Macaranga. However the saplings are shade tolerant, and after thirty years, Shorea parvifolia and Pentace laxiflora dominate the other tree species.[3] The tree roots form ectomycorrhizal relationships with a variety of soil fungi.[1]

Uses

The timber is pink or pinkish-brown with white resinous streaks. It is typically used for panelling, joinery, light carpentry, furniture, plywood, crates, boxes, veneers and other purposes.[1][2]

Status

Shorea parvifolia has a wide range and is a common species. It is under threat from selective logging of the best trees, which may reduce the genetic diversity of the population, and from clearance of forests to make way for palm oil and other plantations. Nevertheless, it is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as being of least concern as it does not currently meet the criteria for a more threatened category.[1]

References
  1. Barstow, M. (2018). "Shorea parvifolia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T63045A68074947. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T63045A68074947.en. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  2. Fern, Ken. "Shorea parvifolia". Useful Tropical Plants. Tropical Plants Database. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  3. Guhardja, Edi; Fatawi, Mansur; Sutisna, Maman; Mori, Tokunori; Ohta, Seiichi (2012). Rainforest Ecosystems of East Kalimantan: El Niño, Drought, Fire and Human Impacts. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 196. ISBN 978-4-431-67911-0.
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