Macaranga tanarius Müll.Arg.

Shrub or small tree to 10 (–20+) m high, monoecious or dioecious. Colourless erect trichomes glabrescent on vegetative surfaces, occasionally dense and persistent. Stipules (0.5–) 1.3–2.7 cm long, persistent. Leaves alternate; petiole (0.8–) 4–38 cm long, peltately attached between the centre and lower third of the lamina; lamina ovate, (4–) 7–42 cm long, (2.5–) 5.5–37.5 cm wide, base rounded, rarely cordate, margin entire or dentate, apex acuminate, occasionally acute, venation palmate, lower surface gland-dotted. Inflorescences paniculate; bracts 4–12 mm long, ovate, laciniate. Male flowers: stamens 8–15; filaments 0.4–0.75 mm long. Female flowers solitary, bracteate; ovary yellow-green, globular with conic protuberances; styles 2 or 3 (rarely 4), 5–8 mm long. Capsule 6–13 mm diam., orbicular, bristles glabrescent. [See also Du Puy & Telford (1993: 273).]

A tropical plant. It is native from Malaysia to Australia. It will grow in many types of soil. The soil should be well-drained. It does best in a sunny position. Common and widely distributed in open places and secondary forest throughout the Philippines. In Borneo it grows up to 1,400 m above sea level. It can be near beaches and along tidal streams. It is mostly on sandy or rocky soils.

The timber is tough, very lightweight and burns readily. The bark may be used for cordage and also has a high tannic acid content. A mixture of this acid and a gum is exuded from wounds as a sticky substance known as kino. This may be used in tanning, as an astringent, and also medicinally.

Plants are grown from seed. Seed should be planted fresh. Seed germinate easily. Plants can be grown from cuttings. The cuttings should be large.