Barringtonia reticulata (Lecythidaceae) is a shrub or small tree up to 10 m tall. This species can be found in Sumatra, Riau and Lingga Archipelago, Karimata and Anambas islands, Malaysia, the Philippines and SE Sulawesi. In Peninsular Malaysia, it is recorded only from Melaka and Johor hence the conservation status is Endangered. Habitats of this species include primary heath, swampy and beach forest. The local names varies, where in Sarawak it is known as putat (Iban) and tampalang, tatisai, tělisai sugud (Dusun) in Sabah. Other names are jambu hutan (Malay), bubunak (Murut) and putat rimba (Indonesia). The bark is used as a fish poison by the locals. Flowering and fruiting occurs year-round, thus those interested to see this species, can take a leisurely walk in the Kepong Botanical Gardens.

Written by Norsham S. Y. Posted on 11 January 2013. The weekly weather was 24° to 33°C.

Putat fruit. Picture by Norsham S.Y.
Putat fruits hanging from the tree. Picture by Noor Azlin Y.	Barringtonia reticulata tree can be observed at Kepong Botanical Gardens. Picture by Noor Azlin Y.