ເປືອກເໝືອກ / Malabar Tree

Peuak Meuak is a straggling shrub or climber, 1-5 m tall and 0.5-6 cm (larger also, but rare) in DBH, with a thick bark that displays brown marks at irregular intervals over the stem. Mature stems have grey-black bark while younger stems are red, and the bark has sticky sap. The leaves have toothed edges, and are 6-8 x 2.5-4 cm, with a red leafstalk. Inflorescence are tiny white flower clusters.The red fruit is ball-shaped with a single red seed. Taxonomy is still unclear, and there is possibly another Peuak Meuak species: Debregesia longifolia (Burs.f.) Wedd. has more narrow leaves, more contrast between upper/lower leaf blades, slower growth and less glue in the bark. Traders often refuse it (synonyms: B. glomerulifera Miq., Urtica).