A Sea-Bean Guide: Sea-Beans of Brunei

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Sea-Beans of Brunei Darussalam

Nicky found the following sea-beans on the beach in Brunei Darussalam,
located in Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia (see map).
We're looking for identification of these sea-beans... any ideas? (email me!)
All photos by Nicky.

	Eusideroxylon malagangai Fruit of the Belian Tree or Ironwood Tree, Lauraceae family This is the fruit of one of the lagest trees in the rain forest. It grows in the riverine forest and its "green avocado shape" fruits drift away via the river to the beach. Once the green skin of the fruit has been peeled off, the very hard woody endocarp can be found on the beach (mainly in Sarawak). Avocado shape 12.5 cm long, 7 cm wide, round in cross section, very light ,seems to be hollow and empty, hard woody veiny system on the outer layer, some 8 parallel ribs can be seen at the top and between the veins. A very beautiful and amazing fruit.
	Barringtonia lanceolata Egg shape and size 7 cm long, 5 cm wide, 8.5mm parallel hard and woody ribs. The ribs are attached together with smaller ramifications. When shaken, sounds like a rattle. Only found once.
	*Hodgsonia macrocarpa* 5 to 11 cm long, 4 cm at the widest, elliptical with a straight side, tear drop in cross section dark brown to black, dull to very shiny and smooth surface with several veins like grooves running from the hilum to tip, the hilum is 3 to 4 cm long and prominent, resembling lips; can be easily polished to very shiny looking like a granite pebble; empty when open; the woody wall is up to 8mm thick. Very common. The plant is a gigantic climbing vine with magnificent fringed white and yellow flowers and large pumpkin-like fruit, each of them with 6 beautiful large woody seeds.

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