Appearance
A bush to small or medium-sized tree, up to 25 metres tall and a trunk diameter of 40 cm. The trunk is fluted and irregular at the base. The grey bark is smooth, or with occasional wrinkles or corky bumps. Small branches are greyish brown in colour, with rusty covered small hairs towards the end. Leaf scars evident.Leaves are opposite on the stem, ovate to oblong in shape. 4 to 12 cm long, 2 to 7 cm wide with a long pointed tip. The upper surface is green without hairs, the underside pale grey in colour. With a magnifying glass, small red glands may be visible. Leaf stems 2 to 5 cm long, somewhat thickened at both ends. The first leaf vein on either side of the mid rib extends from the leaf base, to over half the length of the leaf. Veins raised and evident under the leaf.
Naming
The species name refers to the type specimen being collected in the Philippines, where it is known as ''banato''.Distribution
It occurs in South Asia, Southeast Asia, as well as Afghanistan and Australia. The southernmost limit of natural distribution is Mount Keira, south of Sydney.Habitat
This kamala often appears in rainforest margins. Or in disturbed areas free from fire, in moderate to high rainfall areas.Uses
''Mallotus philippensis'' is used to produce yellow dye and herbal remedies. It produces rottlerin, a potent large conductance potassium channel opener. Alcoholic leaf extract of ''Mallotus philippinensis'' Lam., showed Antiurolithiatic activity against ethylene glycol induced urolithiasis in rats.References:
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