Shorea macrophylla is a North Bornean dipterocarp species which is locally known as Kawang, Engkabang Jantong, Kawang Jantong and Tengkawang Hantelok. This is a medium sized to large tree with a known record of 5 m tall and 4m girth in Brunei. The wood is one of the lightest in the Red Meranti group. S. macrophylla is one of four known species of the Red Meranti bearing illipe nuts; which yields fat similar to cocoa butter. This lowland tree is one of the fastest growing species of the genus. It is found frequently along rivers and in areas which are periodically inundated. The conservation status is Vulnerable. You may want to hurry if you want to see the fallen fruits yourself at FRIM’s Engkabang trail as animals are making a feast of them.

Pictures by: Asmar Hassan & Azahari Mohd Yusoff

Reddish leaf shoots of engkabang. Picture by Azahari MY.	Engkabang fruits on the tree.
The wings of engkabang fruit enable germination by wind.	Engkabang fruits on the forest floor.
Flowers of engkabang. Picture by Azahari MY.