The Simpor Story (A Brunei Symbol)

A Brief Introduction Simpur or Simpor (scientific name; Dillenia)as the locals called it, is native to Brunei Darussalam forests. It can be found everywhere in the country may it be deep in the jungle or the outskirts of a small secondary forests. Due to its common existence, Simpur or Simpor has been adapted and became an iconic symbol of Brunei Darussalam. Up until now, Simpor was recognized by other countries as a symbol of Brunei and to show this symbolic icon, different types of simpor have been printed in Brunei Dollar notes. In this PowerPoint presentation, we tend to open and tell viewers the story of this plant. Sit back and enjoy the presentation.

Simpur: Its Habitat Generally, Simpur can be simply found on swampy areas, lowland inland forests, wasteland and even on eroded soil. It covers area of secondary forests and is abundance everywhere.

Distribution of Dillenia species in Brunei Dillenia beccariana (Martelli) Borneo endemic. Locally common on the clay slopes in the lower Temburong and Batu Apoi valleys, in the Ulu Tutong and at Tasik Merimbun. 2. Dillenia borneensis (Hoogland) - Found rare in Brunei: on clay soils in mixed dipterocarp forest at 300m in temburong District.

3. Dillenia excelsa (jack) Gilg Throughout Brunei: especially in moist valleys and lower slopes. 4. Dillenia grandifolia (Wallich) - Uncommon in Brunei: known from Ulu Ingei and Andulau Forest reserve, Belait, and Kuala Belalong, Amo.

5. Dillenia indica (Linnaeus) Not native in Brunei:sometimes cultivated. 6. Dillenia reticulata (king) -Locally frequent on sandy soils in the floodplains o f the streams within Andulau Forest Reserve in Brunei, and in Ulu Belait. 7. Dillenia pulchella (Jack)Gilg - Mixed peatswamp fprest and swampy kerangas, in Brunei especially near the coast.

8. Dillenia suffruticosa (Griffith)martelli Abundant on degraded land,often where covering from fire;also common in river banks and other open place,especially downriver and on poor soils. 9. Dillenia sumatrana (miquel) - Common in Brunei: in lowland mixed dipterocarp forest on leached sandy and sandy clay soils-Belait and Tutong districts but far not from Temburong.

Simpur: Location where it can be found. Simpur can be found at the following regions: Asia Australasia Indian Ocean Islands

THE SIMPOR STORY Dillenia or commonly known as Simpoh or Simpor or Simpur is a genus of 100 species of flowering plants in the family Dilleniaceae, native to tropical and subtropical regions of southern Asia, Australasia, and the Indian Ocean islands. The genus is named after the German botanist Johann Jacob Dillenius, and consists of evergreen or semi-evergreen trees and shrubs. Dillenia is widespread in Brunei and can grow in various habitats. It is a species that can be seen in the white sands of Brunei where it serves as the colonizer of the sands other species can not live. In due time, the white sands will become a new rainforest.

THE SIMPOR STORY Scientific Classification Kingdom Plantae Sub-kingdom Tracheobionta Vascular Plants Superdivision Spermatophyta Seed Plants Division Magnoliophyta Flowering Plants Class Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons Subclass Dillenidae Order Dilleniales Family Dileniaceae Genus Dilenia

THE SIMPOR STORY Dillenia in Brunei Darussalam SPECIES COMMON NAME Dillenia Suffruticosa (Griffith) Martelli Simpoh Air, Simpor Bini Buan (Iban), tegering abai (Murut), dingrng kala’o (Belait) Dillenia Grandifolio Wallich ex Hooker f. & Thomson Pokok Simpoh Daun Merah Dillenia Reticulata King Pokok Simpoh Gajah, simpor pay Dillenia Excelsa (Jack) Gilg Pokok Simpoh Ungu, simpor laki, simpur laki, simpoh, Simpur laki (Brunei, Dusun) Beringin (Iban) Dillenia beccariana Martelli River simpor, Buan (Iban) Dillenia Indica Linnaeus Dillenia Borneensis Hoogland Ubah rusa (Iban) Dillenia Sumatrana Miquel Simpur Laki (Brunei), Peru (Iban), Menterong Dillenia Pulchella (Jack) Gilg Simpur paya

THE SIMPOR STORY Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dillenia http://www.wellgrowhorti.com/page/landscapeplants/Trees/Tree%20List%20D.htm http://srttaseancorner.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/dilleni.htm http://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senarai_pokok

THE SIMPOR STORY : FLOWERS

Among all the species discovered, only the common species have been pictured and posted via Internet. From these pictures, we hope it will be easier to distinguish between each species.

Dillenia Excelsa Please click title for description

Dillenia Alata Please click title for description

Dillenia Indica Please click title for description

Dillenia Philippinensis Please click title for description

Dillenia subfruticosa

Dillenia Sumatrana

Dillenia Beccariana

THE SIMPOR STORY: FRUITS OF THE DILLENIA

Dillenia alata The open fruit reveal bright red valves and black seeds.

Dillenia indica, Dillenia speciosa The greenish-yellow fruit, which has a thick protective covering, is edible; unripe fruits are cooked to make pickle and chutney. The juicy pulp is aromatic but very acid.

Dillenia ingens

Dillenia ovata

Dillenia philippinensis

Dillenia serrata, Dillenia elliptica

Dillenia suffruticosa, Wormia suffruticosa The ripe fruit splits open also at 3 am, into pinkish star-shaped segments to reveal seeds covered in red arils. It takes 5 weeks for the fruit to set.

Dillenia beccariana Unopened fruit Opened fruit

Dillenia excelsa Unopened fruit Opened fruit

THE SIMPOR STORY: USES & APPLICATIONS

The large leaves are used to wrap food such as tempeh (fermented soyabean cakes), nasi lemak and tapai (fermented rice). Can be rolled into shallow cones to contain traditional "fast food" such as rojak. The mature or old leaves of some species contain a deposit of silica in their tissues and thus they were once used as sandpaper.

As an indicator of availability of water source - This plant sends out very deep tap roots to reach underground water sources. - Hence, some people use the plant as a guide to decide where to dig a well.

Traditional medical views Traditional medicinal uses - The young shoots is used to staunch bleeding wounds. The fruit pulp may be used to wash the hair.

The Simpor Bini (Dillenia suffruticosa) is also widespread in distribution, and it can grow in various habitats. It can be found commonly in the white sands areas, as well in secondary growth and in swamps. In the white sands, the Simpor Bini is a very important species. It acts as a pioneer species, colonizing the white sands where other tree species are unable to establish themselves on the white sands.

The Simpor Bini is known to have seeds that can establish on the white sands, and on germinating, are able to send roots very deep down to reach underground water source. The low spreading shrubs that develop will eventually provide shade for seedlings of other tree species to establish themselves. Islands of fresh vegetation will be initially formed, and eventually a new forest is established.

THE END