My hometown Ipoh is named after a tree, the Epu tree (Antiaris Toxicarial) to be precise. Information that I gleaned from the Internet said that there were plenty of Ipoh trees a long time ago but then their numbers dwindled because they were cut down due to its poisonous sap. The tree sap is used by the Orang Asli (aborigines) on their blow darts as weapons. The Chinese refer to this tree as 'Arrow Poison Wood '箭毒木'. I know of two locations where the Ipoh tree can be found; one at the Ipoh Railway Station and the other at Taman D.R. Seenivasagam.
In the above pictures you can see the famous Ipoh tree planted in front of the Ipoh Railway Station. It was planted in 1980 by the then Chief Minister of Perak, which means this particular tree is 31 years old already. Aiyoh! I do hope they have more Ipoh trees in Taman Seenivasagam. If anything happens to the tree at the Railway Station, then there will be replacements.
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