“Our forest”, in Malay. A citizen-science field guide to notice, name and record sixteen Malaysian trees.
Every plant in this guide sits on the tree below. Point at a family, a genus or a species, or move through it with the Tab key, to follow its branch.
Dipterocarpaceae
Giants of the forest
Many species carry winged fruits, and the family includes many of the tallest trees in Malaysian lowland forest.
2 genera: Vatica and Dipterocarpus. 4 species.
Lauraceae
The laurel family
Leaves are often aromatic when crushed. The family also includes cinnamon, bay laurel and avocado.
2 genera: Actinodaphne and Beilschmiedia. 4 species.
Burseraceae
Resin & rainforest fruits
Bark and wood often hold a fragrant resin. Dabai, a well-known Sarawak fruit, belongs here.
2 genera: Canarium and Dacryodes. 4 species.
Myristicaceae
The nutmeg family
Cut bark often seeps a reddish sap, and the nutmeg seed is wrapped in a red aril: mace.
2 genera: Horsfieldia and Myristica. 4 species.
Follow a branch
Each family divides into two genera, and each genus into two species. Choose any name to open its page.
A reference photograph, one clue and the two genera of each family. Explore the field guide
Giants of the forest
Begin with Vatica and Dipterocarpus. These two genera belong to Dipterocarpaceae, a family represented here by four tree species. Compare the reference photographs, then follow each genus to its species records.
Look for: Many species carry winged fruits, and the family includes many of the tallest trees in Malaysian lowland forest.
Botanical source: NParks.
Explore Dipterocarpaceae
The laurel family
Explore Actinodaphne and Beilschmiedia. Both genera belong to Lauraceae. Our selection connects four species with their botanical sources, helping you move from a family name to a more precise identification.
Look for: Leaves are often aromatic when crushed. The family also includes cinnamon, bay laurel and avocado.
Botanical source: Kew POWO.
Explore Lauraceae
Resin & rainforest fruits
Meet Canarium and Dacryodes. This collection includes dabai and three related forest trees. The genus links let you compare the names without confusing a shared local name with a scientific classification.
Look for: Bark and wood often hold a fragrant resin. Dabai, a well-known Sarawak fruit, belongs here.
Botanical source: NParks.
Explore Burseraceae
The nutmeg family
Discover Horsfieldia and Myristica. The familiar cultivated nutmeg sits alongside regional forest species. The catalogue distinguishes an introduced crop from native plants so that location information stays meaningful.
Look for: Cut bark often seeps a reddish sap, and the nutmeg seed is wrapped in a red aril: mace.
Botanical source: Kew POWO.
Explore MyristicaceaeRimba Kita is a learning platform inspired by citizen science: people and researchers working together to understand biodiversity. Explore our curated reference collection, practise recording a plant, and see how a careful observation can be shared.
Citizen-science inspiration: Pl@ntNet. This independent student project is not affiliated with Pl@ntNet.
About this projectA familiar tree, an unfamiliar leaf. Start with what catches your attention.
Explore the taxonomy and compare botanical reference photographs.
Practise sharing a clear photograph and useful field notes.
Notice a leaf. Record the details. Share what you see.
Contribute an observationBackground photo Reuben C. J. Lim, CC BY-NC-SA
Three students researched, built and will present Rimba Kita.
Meet the team
A 10 to 12 minute walkthrough by all three members. Recording pending.
Video details
