Thung tree

TUNG
Tetrameles nudiflora R. Br.
Family: Datiscaceae
Order: Begoniales

Identifying characteristics
Large , deciduous tree , over 40m tall with trunk diameter of 1m or more, roots with developed buttresses ; Body bark gray and white. Leaves have ovoid-round blades, 12 - 15cm long, 10 - 13cm wide, heart-shaped base, tip with short pointed tail, when young, hairy on both sides, when old, become nearly smooth, with 4 - 6 veins growing. from the base along with the main vein and 4 other pairs of secondary veins; Leaf petiole 5 - 12cm long; Leaf scars are nearly round. Unisexual flowers , different from the base, appear before new leaves appear. Inflorescences are hairy. Male inflorescences are inflorescences; Male flowers have 4 short sepal lobes, no petals and 4 stamens . Female inflorescences are long panicles; Female flowers have an egg-shaped calyx, 4 short teeth at the top, no petals; The gourd has 4 short nozzles, the ends are not split. The dried fruit opens at the top and is egg-shaped. Seeds are many, small, flat.

Biology, ecology:
Lives in lowland areas in evergreen forests, where altitudes do not exceed 500 - 700m. Fruit ripening season: March. Regenerates by seeds, grows scattered in semi-deciduous tropical rain forests , on red basalt soil.

Distribution:
Vietnam: Ninh Binh (Cuc Phuong). Dak Lak (Buon Ma Thuot, Krong Ana. Krong Pach), Lam Dong (foot of Bao Loc Pass), Dong Nai (Tan Phu: Dinh Quan), Ba Ria - Vung Tau (Con Dao National Park).
World: Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Indonesia, India.

Value:
Unique genetic resources. The only species of the genus Tetrameles . Mist wood , used in construction and making household appliances; The bark is used as a laxative.

Status:
Know not exactly. In the past, there were quite a few, but in recent years the number of individuals has decreased very rapidly because they were cut down for wood and especially the habitat of forests on red basalt soil was destroyed to grow industrial crops. May become extinct.

Recommended protective measures:
Protect intact in nature in some forbidden forests and research and plant them as timber trees.

Document cited: Vietnam Red Book 2000 - page 279.