Dyera costulata

Dyera costulata, the jelutong, is a species of tree in the family Apocynaceae. It grows to approximately 60 metres (200 ft) tall with diameters of 2 metres (5 to 6 ft), or even to 80 m (260 ft) tall with diameters to 3 m (10 ft),[3] and boles clear and straight for 30 m (90 ft). It grows in Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra and southern Thailand.[3] Its natural distribution is scattered locales in low-elevation tropical evergreen forest.

Dyera costulata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Dyera
Species:
D. costulata
Binomial name
Dyera costulata
Synonyms
  • Alstonia costulata Miq.
  • Alstonia eximia Miq.
  • Alstonia grandifolia Miq.
  • Dyera laxiflora Hook.f.

In addition, jelutong can be tapped for latex and from the 1920s through the 1960s, jelutong latex was an important source of chewing gum.

Jelutong has been traditionally overharvested, and is a threatened species in many areas. It is a protected species in parts of Malaysia and Thailand. The tree is grown commercially for timber.

Sawdust from this species has been known to cause allergic dermatitis.

Uses

Jelutong is used for its wood. Along with balsa it is technically a hardwood with many properties similar to that wood. These properties such as the low density, straight grain and fine texture mean it is easy to work with and hence popular with model makers and within the patternmaking trade. The roots are used as a cork substitute.

References
  1. "Dyera costulata". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries; Australian National Botanic Gardens.
  2. Hooker, J.D. (1882) Journal of the Linnean Society. Botany. London 19: 293
  3. Middleton, David J. (September 2004). "Dyera costulata (Miq.) Hook.f.". In Soepadmo, E.; Saw, L. G.; Chung, R. C. K. (eds.). idiii. (free online from the publisher, lesser resolution scan PDF versions). Vol. 5. Forest Research Institute Malaysia. pp. 28–30. ISBN 983-2181-59-3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2008.

Further reading
  • Meding, B., A.T. Karlberg and M. Ahman. (1996). Wood dust from jelutong (Dyera costulata) causes contact allergy. Contact Dermatitis 34(5):349-53.
  • Photos of latex harvest
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