Alstonia Spatulata is a swamp dweller and several examples of this small tree are growing in the marshy ground at the head of the Macritchie Reservoir as well as in the swamp forest to the west of the Sime Boardwalk (near Jelutong Tower) . The two key features that distinguish A. spatulata from the other Alstonia species are the low deeply fluted butress and the leaf whorls containing on average only 4 leaves arranged at right angles to each other. The leaves are obvate, sometimes notched, never tipped and have a short stem. If you only have the leaves to work with it is the short stem that distiunguishes this species from A. pneumatophora which is our other swamp dwelling Pulai. It should be noted however that using the leaves only as an identifying feature could be subject to error as some A pneumatophora leaves could be petiolated. The fruit follicles of this species are glabrous.
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Characteristic deeply fluted buttress |
Fruiting tree - note the short seed pods. |
Typical leaf arrangement for A. spatulata.
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A. spatulata in flooded forest at Sime Rd |
Back side of leaves - note the short stem |
Prolific fruiting.
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Nice Buttress !
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Buttresses rarely > 1.5 metres |
A spatulata is a small-medium sized tree |
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Very distinct horizontal lineations on buttress. |
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