Biology:Symplocos odoratissima

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Short description: Species of plant in the family Symplocaceae

Symplocos odoratissima
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Symplocaceae
Genus: Symplocos
Species:
S. odoratissima
Binomial name
Symplocos odoratissima
(Blume) Choisy ex Zoll.[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Dicalix odoratissimus Blume
  • (Blume) Kuntze Eugenioides odoratissimum

Symplocos odoratissima is a tree in the family Symplocaceae, native to Southeast Asia. The specific epithet odoratissima means "most fragrant", referring to the flowers.[2]

Description

Symplocos odoratissima grows up to 28 metres (90 ft) tall, with a stem diameter of up to 50 cm (20 in). The bark is scaly or smooth. Its papery leaves are obovate to elliptic and measure up to 32 cm (13 in) long. The inflorescences bear yellowish-white flowers. The pear-shaped fruits turn blue when ripe and measure up to 2.5 cm (1 in) long.[2]

Distribution and habitat

Symplocos odoratissima is native to much of maritime Southeast Asia, from the Nicobar Islands east to the Maluku Islands and north to the Philippines. Its habitat is dipterocarp forests, often on swampy terrain by rivers, to elevations of 500 m (1,600 ft).[2]

Uses

The bark of Symplocos odoratissima is used as a dye. In Java, the bark is also locally used in traditional medicine.[2]

Varieties

Plants of the World Online recognises two varieties of Symplocos odoratissima:[1]

  • Symplocos odoratissima var. odoratissima – from the Nicobar Islands east to the Maluku Islands and north to the Philippines
  • Symplocos odoratissima var. wenzelii (Merr.) Noot. – Borneo and the Philippines

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Symplocos odoratissima" (in en). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/827222-1. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Pearce, K. G. (2004). "Symplocos Jacq.". in Soepadmo, E.; Saw, L. G.; Chung, R. C. K.. Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak. 5. Forest Research Institute Malaysia. pp. 420–422. ISBN 978-2831704227. 

Wikidata ☰ Q17245351 entry