Rubroshorea mecistopteryx is a tree in the family Dipterocarpaceae, native to Borneo. It is commonly known, along with several other dipterocarp species, as red meranti.[1]
The species was first described as Shorea mecistopteryx by Henry Nicholas Ridley in 1925.[2] The specific epithetmecistopteryx means 'big wing', referring to the fruit's lobes.[3] In 2022 Peter Shaw Ashton and Jacqueline Heckenhauer placed the species in genus Rubroshorea as R. mecistopteryx.[2]
Description
Rubroshorea mecistopteryx grows up to 50 metres (160ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 1.6m (5ft). It has buttresses up to 2m (7ft) tall. The smooth bark later becomes flaking and cracked. The papery leaves are oblong and measure up to 20cm (8in) long, occasionally 30cm (12in) long. The inflorescences measure up to 12cm (5in) long.[3]
Rubroshorea mecistopteryx has been assessed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. It is threatened by conversion of land for agriculture, mainly for palm oil plantations. The species is also threatened by logging for its timber and the construction of logging roads. In Kalimantan, forest fires are a risk for the species. Rubroshorea mecistopteryx does occur in a number of protected areas.[1]
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