Liquidambar cambodiana, commonly known as sdey, is a tree in the Altingiaceae family endemic to southwest Cambodia.[2]
| Liquidambar cambodiana | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Saxifragales |
| Family: | Altingiaceae |
| Genus: | Liquidambar |
| Species: | L. cambodiana
|
| Binomial name | |
| Liquidambar cambodiana | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
|
Altingia cambodiana Lecomte | |
Taxonomy
editThe species was originally named Altingia cambodiana in 1924 by the French botanist Paul Henri Lecomte (1856-1934). In 2013, US botanists Stefanie M. Ickert-Bond and Jun Wen (born 1963) demonstrated that it was in the Altingiaceae family and Liquidambar genus.[3]
Description
editThe taxa grows as a tree from 8 to 10m tall.[4] The species is differentiated from other Liquidambar by having leaves that are glossy on the upper surface and with margins that are distinctly revolute when dry.[3]
Distribution
editThe tree is reported from 3 locations in the Dâmrei Mountains of southwestern Cambodia.[3] It was reported in the riparian forests in basalt areas (and perhaps more widely) of the Chuor Phnom Krâvanh/Cardamon Mountains of western Cambodia, the tree dominates the riverbanks.[5] However the botanist Ickert-Bond visited Bokor National Park around 2013, and for several days attempted to find specimens with no luck, and identified stands near the Pokovil waterfall in the Dâmrei Mountains as being a population of Liquidambar siamensis[1] It grows from lowlands areas up to 500m in altitude.[4]
Conservation
editThis plant has not been found in the last few decades. Therefore, its conservation status has been described as Data Deficient.[1] As it is only known from 3 archived specimens from one location, it is believed that this taxa has a small population size, in an area with expanding tourism impacts and resource extraction.
Vernacular names
edit- sdey (Khmer language)
Uses
editThe young leaves of the tree are eaten raw in salads; they are an appreciated food and are particularly eaten in the dish tük kröeung.[4] The wood is used to make tool handles.
References
edit- ^ a b c Barstow, M. (2019). "Liquidambar cambodiana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T125635046A125635050. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T125635046A125635050.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Liquidambar cambodiana (Lecomte) Ickert-Bond & J.Wen". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ a b c Ickert-Bond, Stefanie M.; Wen, Jun (2013). "A taxonomic synopsis of Altingiaceae with nine new combinations". PhytoKeys (31): 21–61. doi:10.3897/phytokeys.31.6251. PMC 3881344. PMID 24399902.
- ^ a b c Pauline Dy Phon (2000). Plants Utilised In Cambodia/Plantes utilisees au Cambodge. Phnom Penh: Imprimerie Olympic. p. 406.
- ^ Daltry, Jenny C.; Traeholt, Carl (2003). Biodiversity assessment of the southern Cardamoms and Botum-Sakor Peninsula: Final report on surveys carried out during the 2002–2003 dry seasons. Phnom Penh.: WildAid: Cambodia Program, and Department of Forestry and Wildlife. Retrieved 25 March 2021.