Shorea macrophylla: Overview of Illipe Nut Producing Tree

Shorea macrophylla is also named as ‘Engkabang’ (Iban), ‘Kawang’ (Brunei), and ‘Tengkawang’ (Indonesia). It belongs to the Dipterocarpaceae family categorised under genus Shorea, which can be found in tropical rainforests Southeast Asia. prefers wet habitats, such periodically flooded alluvium riverbanks. The tree size of S. medium or large; however, some researchers Kalimantan claim it a small tree. flowering fruiting systems most Dipterocarps, including macrophylla, are irregular, but there massive event once every few years. Its genetic structure characterised by moderate diversity within species populations, well high differentiation local populations. known Light Red Meranti, suitable timber supply for light construction work. produces illipe nuts that widely used cocoa butter replacer fat. Wildlife eats ripe nuts, contain oil content with mostly beneficial unsaturated triglycerides. fat extracted from nut cosmetic application provides good moisturising effect. Future investigation into nuts’ composition other potential uses should carried out.