| Dyera costulata | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Genus: | Dyera |
| Species: | D. costulata |
| Binomial name | |
| Dyera costulata | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Dyera costulata, thejelutong, is aspecies oftree in the familyApocynaceae. It grows to approximately 60 metres (200 ft) tall with diameters of 2 metres (5 to 6 ft), or even to 80 m (260 ft) tall with diameters to 3 m (10 ft),[3] andboles clear and straight for 30 m (90 ft). It grows inMalaysia,Borneo,Sumatra and southernThailand.[3] Its natural distribution is scattered locales in low-elevation tropical evergreen forest.
In addition, jelutong can be tapped forlatex and from the 1920s through the 1960s, jelutong latex was an important source ofchewing gum.
Jelutong has been traditionallyoverharvested, and is a threatened species in many areas. It is a protected species in parts of Malaysia andThailand. The tree is grown commercially for timber.
Sawdust from this species has been known to causeallergic dermatitis.
Jelutong is used for its wood. Along withbalsa it is technically ahardwood with many properties similar to that wood. These properties such as the low density, straight grain and fine texture mean it is easy to work with and hence popular with model makers and within thepatternmaking trade. The roots are used as acork substitute.
