ENIDDENL
Plants of Borneo

Ramin

Gonystylus bancanus

Ramin is a Thymelaeaceae tree native to Borneo, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. Its association with peat-swamp forests makes the condition of wetland soils central to its story.

Botanical details
Species
Gonystylus bancanus
Genus
Gonystylus
Family
Thymelaeaceae

Range & habitat

Ramin is a Thymelaeaceae tree native to Borneo, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. Its association with peat-swamp forests makes the condition of wetland soils central to its story. The accepted species name is Gonystylus bancanus; a timber trade name alone is insufficient to identify wood because ramin can refer to more than one Gonystylus species.

Sources & references · 1Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · Gonystylus bancanus: taxonomy and native distribution

Protecting the plant and its habitat

Ramin timber is subject to CITES controls. Research on genetic identification helps distinguish protected timber in trade, linking botanical knowledge with enforcement against illegal logging. Protecting the tree also requires protecting its peatland habitat. A certificate, species identity and legal origin are separate questions; the useful pale timber should not be confused with unrestricted permission to harvest it.

Sources & references · 1Forensic Science International: Genetics · Forensic identification of CITES-listed ramin timber

Related discoveries

Destinations

Primary rainforest in Danum Valley.
Destinations

Borneo

Borneo rewards a journey built around a few contrasting places: a river city, a forest stay, a highland community or an island coast. Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei share the island, but each part has its own gateways, languages and travel arrangements. Start by choosing the landscapes and experiences that matter most to you; the country and regional guides below turn that choice into a workable route. Sabah combines mountain, forest and sea journeys, Sarawak connects river towns with caves and living heritage, Kalimantan opens five very different provinces, and Brunei offers a compact capital-and-rainforest combination. You can enjoy a substantial first trip within just one of these regions. Seeing the whole island is a much larger undertaking.

Gido (gidovd) · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0 · Cropped · Original

Habitats & nature areas

Sekonyer River in Tanjung Puting National Park, Central Kalimantan.
Nature areas

Tanjung Puting National Park

Tanjung Puting is a national park in western Central Kalimantan, where rivers lead into a mosaic of lowland, swamp, heath and coastal forest. Orangutan conservation is its best-known story, but the landscape also supports proboscis monkeys and distinctive wetland vegetation. Visitors normally plan through Pangkalan Bun and Kumai, then travel by boat along an agreed route. The park is larger than its familiar visitor corridor: a booking for particular sites does not open every research or rehabilitation facility. Choose the visit length, boat and overnight arrangement together, and confirm park reservations before departure. This is a guided river-and-forest experience, not a guarantee of close wildlife encounters.

Nanosanchez · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cropped · Original

Sources & references

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · Gonystylus bancanus: taxonomy and native distributionAccessed: 2026-10-04

Forensic Science International: Genetics · Forensic identification of CITES-listed ramin timberAccessed: 2026-10-04

Report a correction