Mount Silam (Malay: Gunung Silam) is a mountain in Lahad Datu District, Sabah, Malaysia.

Mount Silam
Highest point
Elevation884 m (2,900 ft)
Prominence656 m (2,152 ft)
Coordinates4°57′25″N 118°09′54″E / 4.957°N 118.165°E / 4.957; 118.165
Naming
Native nameGunung Silam (Malay)
Geography

Description

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Mount Silam is 884 metres (2,900 ft) high and overlooks Darvel Bay on the Celebes Sea. The geology is characterised by ultrabasic rock. Rainforest covers the mountain from 200 m (700 ft) altitude to the summit.[1]

Flora

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Mount Silam is home to the endangered tree Madhuca silamensis.[2] It is also home to a number of pitcher plant species including Nepenthes macrovulgaris and Nepenthes tentaculata.[3]

 
Radio masts on mountain

Tourism

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The Tower of Heaven (Menara Kayangan) is a 30-metre-high (98 ft) observation tower that was built as a tourist facility at the top of Mount Silam in 2012. The tower has panoramic views that include the Darvel Bay islands. The complex includes nature trails and tourist accommodation.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Proctor, J.; Lee, Y.; Langley, A.; Munro, W. & Nelson, T. (June 1998). "Ecological Studies on Gunung Silam, A Small Ultrabasic Mountain in Sabah, Malaysia. I. Environment, Forest Structure and Floristics". Journal of Ecology. 76 (2). British Ecological Society. doi:10.2307/2260596. JSTOR 2260596.
  2. ^ Olander, S.B. & Wilkie, P. (2019). "Madhuca silamensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T136470568A136470883.
  3. ^ Phillipps, Anthea; Lamb, Anthony (1996). Pitcher-plants of Borneo. Natural History Publications (Borneo). ISBN 9789838120098.
  4. ^ "Tower of Heaven (Menara Kayangan), Lahad Datu". Sabah Forestry Department. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
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