Microdesmis caseariifolia

Content

Description

Shrubs to understorey trees, up to 15(-30) m high, dbh up to 25 cm, widely branched above the middle; Leaves: Stipules 1-3 by 0.3-0.6 mm. Flowers white to greenish yellow to yellow to orange, fragrant. Fruits pendant, ovoid, 5-6.5 by 5-6.5 mm, warty, light green turning to deep orange to red; Seeds c. 3.2 by 2 mm, black, crustaceous.

Distribution

Asia-Temperate: Hainan (Hainan present), Asia-Tropical: Borneo present; Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia present); Philippines (Philippines present); Sumatera (Sumatera present), Balabac present, Bancalan present, Burma to South China present, Palawan present

Burma to South China, Hainan; in Malesia: Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, Philippines (Palawan, Bancalan, Balabac; Merrill 1923).

Taxonomy

Elmer (1911) recognized M. philippinensis, because it differs from M. caseariifolia in “petals not being orbicular nor pubescent on both sides; stamens in ours 10, their blunt anthers not long apiculate or caudate; and fruits when ripe yellow not red”. The Palawan specimens (formerly M. philippinensis) do not differ from the other M. caseariifolia specimens. The petals are never orbicular, vary between glabrescent and hairy, the stamens are always 10 and the long extension is absent when the bud is still young. Ripe fruits colour from yellow to red, thus probably Elmer did not see mature fruits.

Uses

Fresh plant juice is used against caries. Sometimes the timber is used for house construction (posts).

Citation

M.R.Hend. 1939 – In: J. Malayan Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc. p 71

Airy Shaw 1972 – In: Kew Bull. p 362

Müll.Arg. 1866 – In: DC., Prodr. 15. p 1041

Gagnep. 1926: p. 460. – In: Lecomte, Fl. Indo-Chine 5. f. 56: 7-13

Ridl. 1924 – In: Fl. Malay Penins. p 258

Müll.Arg. 1866 – In: DC., Prodr. 15. p 1254

Planch. 1981 – In: Kew Bull. p 367

Airy Shaw 1975 – In: Kew Bull. p 222

Hook.f. 1887 – In: Fl. Brit. India. p 380

Hallier – In: Meded. Rijks-Herb. p 11

Clos 1855 – In: Ann. Sci. Nat. p 382

Pax & K.Hoffm. 1911 – In: Engl., Pflanzenr. IV. p 106

Merr. 1923 – In: Enum. Philipp. Fl. Pl. p 451

Whitmore 1973 – In: Tree Fl. Malaya. p 118