Scaphium burkillfilii

Botanical Description

Scaphium burkillfilii is a large tree with a bole up to 48cm in diameter[ 2063 Title A Revision of Scaphium (Sterculioideae, Malvaceae/Sterculiaceae) Publication Edinburgh Journal of Botany 66 (2): 283-328 (2009) Author Wilkie P. Website http://10.1017/S0960428609005411 Publisher Year 2009 ISBN Description ]. The seeds of all the species in this genus are commonly harvested from the wild, both forr local use and also in large quantities for trade. They have various medicinal attributes and are also used to make a popular health drink, The trees are also harvested for their wood, which is used locally and also traded[ 2063 Title A Revision of Scaphium (Sterculioideae, Malvaceae/Sterculiaceae) Publication Edinburgh Journal of Botany 66 (2): 283-328 (2009) Author Wilkie P. Website http://10.1017/S0960428609005411 Publisher Year 2009 ISBN Description ]. Scaphium burkillfilii is only known from the type specimen collected from Segan Forest Reserve in Bintulu. It is suspected that the species has experienced a population decline exceeding 80% due to habitat loss although patches of forest in its known locality are still present. Given its very small extent of occurrence the plant is classified as 'Critically Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].