Melanochyla beccariana is a flowering plant in the family Anacardiaceae. It is native to Borneo.

Description

Melanochyla beccariana grows as a tree up to 24m (80ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 35cm (14in). The leaves are oblong or obovate and measure up to 29cm (11in) long and to 12cm (5in) wide. The inflorescences are in panicles. The rusty fruits measure up to 4.5cm (1.8in) long.

Taxonomy

Melanochyla beccariana was first described in 1894 by English botanist Daniel Oliver in Hooker's Icones Plantarum. The syntypes were collected in Sarawak on Borneo. The species is named for the Italian botanist Odoardo Beccari.

Distribution and habitat

Melanochyla beccariana is endemic to Borneo. Its habitat is in lowland and lower montane forests, to elevations of 1,500m (5,000ft).

Conservation

Melanochyla beccariana has been assessed as least concern on the IUCN Red List. However, the species' habitat is threatened by deforestation and by conversion of land for agriculture and plantations. It is present in a number of protected areas.