Vegetation of Southeast Asia Studies of Forest Types 1963-1965

Nipa Pain Association: Nipa (Hipa fruticons), or 'chak' as it
is known in Thailand, is a palm with short, prostrate trunk, and
pinnate leaves up to 15 or 20 ft. (5-6.5 ra.) in length (Fig. &0.
In Thailand, as in the neighboring countries of Southeast Asia, it
occurs around the coasts, often forming rather extensive, dense
pure stands on the landward side of Mangrove forest, in the neighborhood
of estuaries end streams. It attains its best development
in sites with freshwater as well as in areas where the water is
slightly saline. For this reason, the Nipa palm frequently grows
in association with some of the trees characteristic of the Mangrove
woodland.
The Nipa palm plays a very important part in local economy. The
leaves are used for thatch, and for this purpose it is often planted
to supplement the supply from spontaneous or natural stands. The
leaves are cut and plaited to make partitions for houses or to roof
boats. In addition, they are used for such other purposes as umbrellas,
sun hats, raincoats, coarse baskets, mats and bags. In Thailand the
unopened leaves are used for cigarette-wrappers. The endosperm,
covering the young unripe seed, is slightly sweet and edible, and is
much sought in January and February. The hard mature seed seemjto
have no particular use, although dome consideration has been given
to crushing it for animal food, or as material for the manufacture
of buttons.
(b) Freshwater Swamp; The most characteristic tree in Freshwater
swamps in Southeast Asia is the 'cajeput 1 or paper bark tree
(Melaleuca leucadendron), of the Myrtle family (Fig. 65). Known in
Thailand as ''hied 1 , 'samed 1 or 'samet 1 , and 'tram' in Vietnam, it is
a small to medium-sized tree, from 10 to 30 ft. (3-10 m.) in height.
It often forms small stands in wet soil and even in stagnant water,
on the landward side of, but not mixed with, Mangrove woodland.
Some ecologists consider this association to be the climax of the
Mangrove formation. It is a vigorous and resistant tree, crowding
out other plants, and cannot be easily exterminated by cutting or
burning.
Cajeput is rather widely distributed in Southeast Asia. In
Thailand it is found scatteringly along the southeast coast, especially
between Chontaburi and Trat. Small stands are found in the
Peninsula, particularly in the Kra Isthmus, and elsewhere in plains
and low valleys behind the coast. These are protected for the sake
of the firewood they provide, when Mangrove is not available.
Its reddish-brown wood, resembling oeech, is hard and durable
when in contact with wet ground or sea water. For these reasons it
is used for posts, piling and boat building. The leaves and young
twigs yield a volatile or essential o:.I, which is transparent, of a
greenish color, and has a strong, pungent- rdor, similar to camphor
or cardamom oil. In Malaysia, Indc.vr-if 1 . H;KJ South China, this oil
is one of the most popular household medicines.
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