Intriguing flora

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Many could have just walked past these gorgeous hanging flowers because the tree was partially down the slope and the flora bunches were in the shade.

A quick check with a botanist friend gave me a lead that this is a Barringtonia species, and I couldn't be happier when I came across this write-up in the FRIM website:

"Barringtonia macrostachya or locally known as putat is an understorey tree of primary and secondary forest found along rivers and on hills or inundated forest and swampy areas. The species is widespread, from China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Malay Peninsula, Sumatera, Borneo, Philippines, Sulawesi to the Moluccas. Putat has known medicinal values. 

The paste made from the putat roots has been traditionally used to treat sore eyes and ring worm. The bark or pounded fruit are used as fish poison. The leaves of putat are used to treat stomach-ache. A member of the family Lecythidaceae Barringtonia macrostachya tree ... The conservation status of this species is Least Concern."

Came across the tree with varying stages of flowering, fruiting, decay and drying.

The putat flower buds and what's left after the the flowers have dropped off.

Powderpuff flowers from the buds.

 

The bare inflorescence when all have dropped off.

Wonder if this is an indication of failed flowering, with dried-up buds on the slimmer inflorescence looking like that of a peppercorn branch.

Meanwhile,  close-by was another Barringtonia species, the Barringtonia acutangula aka Indian putat, Itchy bush, Itchy tree, of which there will be stunning scarlet red flowers when the buds bloom.

It is also called Stream Barringtonia which is most appropriate as this one was growing by a running stream.