Biology:Melochia umbellata
| Melochia umbellata | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Melochia |
| Species: | M. umbellata
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| Binomial name | |
| Melochia umbellata (Houtt.) Stapf
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| Synonyms | |
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Melochia umbellata is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family, Malvaceae. Its specific epithet comes from the Latin umbellatus (umbel-like), referring to the inflorescence.[2]
Description
Melochia umbellata is a shrub or small tree, growing to 2–15 m in height. It grows rapidly and is able to colonise disturbed land.[3] It has large, broadly ovate, leaves 90–300 mm long. The flowers are usually pale pink to red. The seeds are winged and wind-dispersed.[3]
Distribution and habitat
The plant is native to a region extending from India eastwards through Southeast Asia to north-western Australia and New Guinea. It occurs in secondary vegetation and forest clearings, on rocky slopes and along the edges of rivers and forests, often in seasonally dry soil.[2]
It has been introduced elsewhere and is cultivated widely to provide shade for young trees in timber and coffee plantations. Melochia is relished by ruminants when offered as a cut-and-carry feed.[4] It has become an invasive weed on the Island of Hawaiʻi where it was extensively planted in the Hilo area during a 1920s reforestation program.[3]
References
Notes
- ↑ {{citation | mode = cs1 | title = Melochia umbellata | work = Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) | url = | publisher = [[Organization:Agricultural Research ServAgricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) | access-date = 2010-12-08 }}
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Flora of Australia Online.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Starr et al. (2003).
- ↑ Pers.comm.
Sources
- Starr, Forest; Starr, Kim; & Loope, Lloyd (March 2003). "Melochia umbellata". United States Geological Survey. http://www.hear.org/Pier/pdf/pohreports/melochia_umbellata.pdf. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
- "Melochia umbellata (Houtt.) Stapf". Flora of Australia Online. Australian Biological Resources Study. 1993. http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/online-resources/flora/stddisplay.xsql?pnid=6732. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
External links
Wikidata ☰ Q6813281 entry
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