| Citation |
Srisanga, P., Suksathan, P., & Suddee, S. (2018). Field Guide to the Vascular Plants along Nature Trails on the Summit of Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand. ACB Field Guide Series No. 4 (Fernando, E.S., Barrer, S.B. & Pollisco Jr., F.A, editors). ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity & the Japan – ASEAN Integration Fund. Los Baños, Philippines. 327p. |
Description |
JUSTIFICATION
Acer laurinum is a large tree species. It is native to many countries within east and south east Asia from India south to Indonesia and the Philippines. It is the only Acer known to naturally occur in the southern hemisphere. In some parts of its range the species is rarer for example on Borneo however elsewhere the species is more common. We therefore believe the species has a large, overall population size. The species occurs within a region experiencing high forest loss but as of yet we do not know the extent to which this threatens the population. The species has a geographic range which exceeds a threatened category. Acer laurinum is assessed as Least Concern.
RANGE DESCRIPTION
This species is widespread from India to south east Asia. It is native to India, Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal, Malaysia, Thailand, Viet Nam, China, Lao PDR, Indonesia and the Philippines (Noorisha 1995-2007, Tingzhi et al. 2008). Within China the species is widespread and present in Guangxi, Hainan, Xizang, and Yunnan. It grows in evergreen forest scattered at 700 to 2,500 m asl.
DESCRIPTION
Population density varies widely across the species range. It is considered uncommon on in some parts of Sumatra and Borneo as the forest is not truly seasonal (Noorisha 1995-2007) but is more abundant throughout the rest of its range and in areas of montane, peat swamp and limestone forest. In Sarawak the species is locally common. Flora of China considers the species relatively rare (Tingzhi et al. 2008).
HABITAT AND ECOLOGY
This is large tree species growing to between 48 and 50 m in height (Tingzhi et al. 2008, Noorshia 1995-2007). The species is most frequently found in high evergreen forests but distribution regularly stretches into lowland areas. The species primarily grows in primary and undisturbed forests (Steenis 1948). The species can occur in peat swamp, limestone and montane forests (L. Chua pers. comm. 2017). The species flowers from April to August and fruits from July to November on Borneo.
THREATS
There are no specific threats to the species however it occurs within a region suffering a high rate of deforestation, logging and land conversion. At present we do not know the extent to which this effects this species.
USE AND TRADE
This species is used for timber (Chinh et al. 1996). This can be used for construction of houses, boats, ships and vehicles and also to produce furniture.
CONSERVATION ACTIONS
This species is reported from five ex situ collections (BGCI PlantSearch 2017). It is also likely to be present in protected areas. The species is assessed as Least Concern in China (Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Chinese Academy of Sciences 2014) and as vulnerable in Thailand (Suphuntee et al. 2013).
Local name ?????? tang nok (Northern)
Tree, up to 15 m tall; stems unarmed. Leaves 1-pinnately compound; leaflets 3–5(–7), elliptic to ovate, 6–15 × 2.5–8 cm, glabrous or pubescent on veins beneath, base rounded to cordate, oblique, apex acuminate to caudate, margin serrulate. Inflorescence terminal, basically umbels arranged in panicles. Flowers green, 5-merous; stamens white; pedicels 5–15 mm long. Fruits drupe, ovoid to globose, 4–5.5 mm in diam., dark purple.
Habitat and ecology Hill evergreen forest, 2,000–2,500 m elevation.
Geographic distribution India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, N Thailand, and N Viet Nam. |
