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Simpoh Air
Dillenia suffruticosa
1.44524, 103.725
Field Notes
Description:
Dillenia suffruticosa (Simpoh Ayer) is a large, evergreen shrub to 6 metres high. It flowers continuously with yellow flowers 10 to 12 cm wide. It has large leaves, and large yellow flowers. The flowers open at 3 am and last only a day. The ripe fruit splits open also at 3 am, into pinkish star-shaped segments to reveal seeds covered in red arils.
The plant blooms from age 3-4 and can live for 50-100 years! Plants in the Simpoh family (Dilleniaceae) hiss when the trunk or a branch is cut (you have to put your ear to the cut to hear it). The sound comes from the air that is sucked into the cut vessels.
The Simpoh Air sends out very deep tap roots to reach underground water sources. So much so that their presence suggests an underground water source, and some people use the plant as a guide to decide where to dig a well.
Habitat:
It is found in tropical South East Asia in secondary forest and swampy ground. This distinctive shrubby tree also grows vigorously on eroded soil, wasteland and forest edges.
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