Plant
Simpoh Air
Dillenia suffruticosaAlso known as Simpor, Shrubby Dillenia, CB Leaf
Simpoh air is a resilient tropical shrub characterized by large, glossy leaves and bright yellow, five-petaled blossoms that open for a single day at dawn. Once pollinated, the floral buds develop into pink, star-shaped split fruits that reveal crimson, aril-covered seeds favored by forest birds. Its deep roots reach into high water tables, allowing it to thrive in swampy soils, river margins, and disturbed clearings rapidly.
TropicalPioneer SpeciesYellow Flowers
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preySunlight, Water, Soil Nutrients
Predators
- Birds
- Small Mammals
- Caterpillars
ThreatsMinimal; managed as an invasive weed in introduced ranges like Sri Lanka
HabitatsSecondary forests, riverbanks, swampy grounds, disturbed clearings
Life span20–50 years
Classification
- OrderDilleniales
- FamilyDilleniaceae
- GenusDillenia
- SpeciesDillenia suffruticosa
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Wild fruits have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild plant parts based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
- Observation Timing: Look early in the morning, as flowers open at dawn and shed their petals by late afternoon.
- Habitat Spotting: Search along sunny river margins, swampy clearings, and forest edges throughout tropical Southeast Asia.
Seed Disperser Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Diogo Luiz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Diogo Luiz · cc-by
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.