Asian Rainforest Trees

Durian

• Native to Borneo, Indonesia and Malaysia, the Durian tree is thought to be Southeast Asia's most primitive tree. Scientists believe that it was amongst the first to rely on animals to help disperse its seed. Some of the common names for the Durian tree are Civet Fruit and Stinkvrucht. This tree is of the Durio genus of the zibethinus species. The Durian tree has a lifespan between 80 and 150 years, although scientists believe that it can live much longer.

Kapok Tree

• Originally a native tree to South America, the Kapok tree has spread to the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian Archipelago. This tree can grow up to 150 feet tall and has a trunk diameter of around 9 feet, making the timber from this tree desirable to loggers. Some common names for this tree are Kapok, Ceiba and the Silk-cotton tree. The Kapok tree is of the pentandra species in the Ceiba genus.

Mangrove Forests

• A Mangrove tree lives on the coastal edge where the rainforest meets the ocean, providing an essential element of protection from erosion due to its unique root structure. The seedlings this tree produces begin life by growing directly on the parent tree where they can receive vital nutrients until seedlings are large enough to sustain life on their own. Once a seedling is old enough it will fall to the ground or be swept out to sea to take root far away.

Tualang

• Found in Thailand, peninsular Malaysia, northeastern Sumatra, Borneo and Palawan, the Tualang tree towers above the ground, reaching over 250 feet. Tualang trees are related to peas as they are a member of the legume family. Bees prefer to build their nests in the Tualang tree for superior protection as this tree will only branch out at 100 feet. Some common names are Mengaris, Honey Bee Tree and Dëoh. This tree is of the Excelsa species in the Koompassia genus.