Seraya Shorea curtisii
Seraya (Shorea curtisii) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Dipterocarpaceae family, native to Hill dipterocarp forest of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore (Bukit Timah), southern Thailand, Sumatra and Borneo. It grows 30–60 m (98–197 ft) tall and 15–25 m (49–82 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 12 °C (54 °F). Space plants about 15 m (49 ft) apart.
Plan Seraya in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Seraya at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Dipterocarpaceae |
| Mature height | 30–60 m (98–197 ft) |
| Mature spread | 15–25 m (49–82 ft) |
| Spacing | 15 m (49 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 4–6 |
| Cold hardiness | About 12 °C (54 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Hill dipterocarp forest of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore (Bukit Timah), southern Thailand, Sumatra and Borneo |
| Common in gardens of | 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand |
Is Seraya toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Seraya
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With English lavender: Acid-loving plants need pH 4.5–5.5, lavender prefers neutral to alkaline soil; one bed cannot suit both. Evidence B
See Seraya in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Singapore Botanic Gardens (2 plants)
Questions about Seraya
- How far apart should I plant Seraya?
- About 15 m (49 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 15–25 m (49–82 ft).
- Does Seraya need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Seraya need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Seraya?
- It tolerates about 12 °C (54 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Seraya flower?
- From about March for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Seraya poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Seraya?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Seraya. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN
- Singapore Botanic Gardens: Rainforest, National Orchid Garden, Ginger Garden, Learning Forest, National Parks Board, Singapore
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical lowland plant: outdoors only where it never frosts (as in Singapore); elsewhere it needs a heated glasshouse.
- An emergent tree with a grey-green, cauliflower-like crown (silvery leaf undersides). Like most dipterocarps it flowers in irregular mass "general flowerings" every 2–10 years; the winged fruits spin to the ground.
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Yang na (gurjun oil tree) Dipterocarpus alatus
- Takhian (Hopea odorata) Hopea odorata
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo
- Japanese maple Acer palmatum
- Black walnut Juglans nigra
- English yew Taxus baccata
- Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis
- Japanese flowering cherry Prunus serrulata