Kibatalia

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Kibatalia

Description

Trees or large shrubs with copious white latex from all parts. Leaves opposite; Inflorescence with a very short peduncle and appearing as a fascicle; Sepals ovate; Stamens sessile or subsessile, adnate to the style head; Fruit of paired follicles, narrowly ellipsoid or cylindrical, lenticellate or not. Seeds consisting of seed grain and a long beak directed towards base of fruit and with a coma along the beak;

Distribution

Asia-Tropical, Southeast Asia present
15 species in Southeast Asia and Malesia; in Malesia 14 species.

Taxonomy

A number of species are poorly known and have not been collected since near the beginning of the 19th century and may well be extinct. The only non-Malesian species, K. macrophylla, has not been collected in Malesia but is known from Peninsular Thailand.

Uses

The wood of all species can be used for medium-heavy construction work but as the trees are generally not very large are more often used for household items. The latex is used medicinally against stomach disorders or worms. The flowers can be cooked and eaten.

Citation

Woodson 1936 – In: Philipp. J. Sci.: 209
K. Schum. 1895 – In: Engl. & Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam. 4: 161
D.J. Middleton 1999 – In: Fl. Thailand: 90
P.T. Li et al. 1995 – In: Fl. China: 179
D.J. Middleton 2004 – In: Tree Fl. Sabah & Sarawak: 31
Latiff et al. 1996 – In: Gard. Bull. Singapore 48: 198
Pit. 1933 – In: Lecomte, Fl. Indo-Chine 3: 1179
Backer & Bakh.f. 1965 – In: Fl. Java: 238
Rudjiman 1987 – In: Agric. Univ. Wageningen Pap.: 36
G. Don 1993 – In: Biotrop Special Publ.: 53
Pichon 1950 – In: Mém. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat.: 70
G. Don 2001 – In: PROSEA: 322
Tsiang & P.T. Li 1977 – In: Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin.: 133
A.DC. 1844 – In: Prodr.: 408
Benth. & Hook.f. 1876 – In: Gen. Pl.: 721