Cantleya corniculata

Cantleya corniculata, also called daru, is an evergreen tropical tree. Kew places it in the family Stemonuraceae. It comes from western Malesia in Southeast Asia. Its range includes Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. It forms part of the canopy in primary forest. Trees occur in scattered sites rather than throughout the forest. Its home is the warm, wet lowland tropics.

Published size figures vary between the sources. PFAF gives a height of 98 feet [30 m]. It lists a spread of 82 feet [25 m]. Useful Tropical Plants reports heights of 49–131 feet [15–40 m]. The tree has a dense crown held high above ground. Its trunk grows straight, with some swelling at the base. Most trunks measure about 1–2 feet [0.3–0.6 m] across. Rare trunks reach about 5 feet [1.5 m] across. Buttresses may form, though they are often slight.

This tree grows in lowland forest, including swampy sites. It also occurs in drier parts of freshwater swamp forest. Other sites include hill forest with less wet ground. Records reach elevations of about 984 feet [300 m]. Wild trees grow on both sandy and marshy ground. For cultivation, PFAF lists sand, loam and clay as suitable. It accepts very acid through mildly alkaline soil. It needs sun rather than shade, and moist to wet soil. PFAF reports fast growth and lists USDA zones 10–12. Seed is the stated means of propagation.

The fruit is edible, but sources rate its food value poorly. PFAF gives it an edibility score of one out of five. Neither source reports a medicinal use. Both report no known hazards, though this does not establish safety for every use. The supplied accounts give no flowering season or detailed flower traits. They also give no specific pest or disease problems. Its large size and tropical needs are key limits for garden use.

The tree's main recorded use is timber, not food. Its yellow-brown wood has a strong scent and a fine grain. The wood is hard, heavy and durable in contact with soil. Builders use it for houses, ships, bridges and other heavy work. Its scent also makes it a substitute for sandalwood. PFAF notes that the wood can shrink and warp. Demand for exported timber has placed pressure on wild trees. Useful Tropical Plants cites a 2011 IUCN assessment listing the species as Vulnerable.