Polyscias scutellaria
Content
Description
Glabrous shrub or small tree, up to 6 m, with branches bearing spirally arranged leaves towards their ends.
Leaves simple or trifoliolate, variable in size;
Inflorescence a diffuse panicle;
Petals 4-5, 2 mm long.
Stamens 4-5, anthers oblong, 1 mm long.
Ovary turbinate, c. 1 mm high, (2-)3-4-celled, styles at first erect, later recurved.
Fruit subglobose, fleshy, c. 5 mm ø when dry.
Distribution
East Malesia present, through the tropical Pacific present
Native country not properly known, possibly East Malesia; cultivated throughout the region, extending through the tropical Pacific.
Uses
The foliage is aromatic and is used to furnish perfume. Forms with variegated foliage are in cultivation. Used medicinally as a diuretic, against breast cancer, and to prevent baldness (Heyne, l.c.). Also for culinary purpose (Ochse & Bakh. l.c. 67).
Notes
This species is usually readily distinguished by its simple, orbicular, saucer-shaped leaves, but plants with some or all of their leaves trifoliolate occur. Stone () advanced evidence for uniting these trifoliolate plants with P. pinnata (= 6. P. cumingiana) while retaining the unifoliolate plants as a distinct species. Possibly all are forms of one polymorphous species complex, but here it is considered convenient to adhere to the view which unites all forms having orbicular usually bowl-shaped leaves under the concept P. Scutellaria.
Citation
Miq. 1866: Fl. Vit. p 116
Seem. 1866 – In: J. Bot. p 296
Back. & Bakh.f. 1965 – In: Fl. Java. p 169
Merr. 1923 – In: En. Philip. p 234
Ochse & Bakh. 1931: Veg. D.E.I: 69. f. 39A.
Miq. 1923 – In: En. Philip. p 234
Koord. 1898: Minah. p 490
Merr. 1917: Int. Rumph. p 409
Philipson 1978 – In: Blumea. p 169
Boerl. 1890 – In: Handl. p 641
Miq. 1912 – In: Exk. Fl. Java. p 717
Miq. 1916 – In: Atlas. f. 697
Stone 1965 – In: Taxon. p 284
Heyne 1927: Nutt. Pl. p 1209
Miq. 1856 – In: Fl. Ind. Bat. p 766
Span. 1841 – In: Linnaea. p 208
Ochse & Bakh. 1931: Veg. D.E.I: 67. f. 39
Corner 1940: Ways. Trees. p 156