MELEMBU

Pterocymbium tinctorium (Malvaceae)
Location: Malaysia

This is a large tree growing up to 50 m (164 ft) tall, often with
a silvery smooth bark with warty projections. The distinctive
shape of the fruit gives the genus its name, Pterocymbium
(Greek for ‘winged boot’). The wing of the fruit is red on the
outside and green-golden on the inside when fresh, becoming
brown then black and papery when dry and ready for the seeds
to be released for wind dispersal. The single-seeded fruits
usually hang in clumps of five. The bark is a source of fiber for
rope making. It is also used in dyeing cloth; the specific epithet,
tinctorium, reflects this.