Polyscias nodosa
Content
Description
Tree to 25 m, unbranched or with few thick branches, bearing tufts of long leaves at their ends, young parts scurfy-tomentose.
Leaves imparipin- nate, multijugate, becoming glabrous or minutely villose on the nerves beneath, up to 2 m (or even 3 m);
Inflorescence a large panicle (sometimes with additional flowering branches in the axils of the upper leaves), tomentum ± persistent;
Flowers c. 8-12 in a capitulum.
Petals 5, triangular, 2 mm long.
Stamens 5, anthers broadly ovate on short filaments.
Ovary turbinate, c. 2.5 mm high, 5-celled;
Fruit subglobose (5-ribbed when dry), styles spreading and reflexed.
Distribution
Ambon present, Andaman Is present, Aru Is present, Asia-Tropical: Borneo absent; Jawa (Jawa present); Malaya absent; Maluku (Maluku present); New Guinea present; Philippines (Philippines present); Sulawesi (Sulawesi present); Sumatera (Sumatera absent), Banda present, Bougainville present, Ceram present, Krakatau present, Lesser Sunda Is present, Lombok present, Milne Bay Distr present, Solomon Is present, Sulu Is present, Sunda Straits present, Talaud present, Ternate present
Solomon Is. (Bougainville); in Malesia: Sunda Straits (Krakatau), Java, Lesser Sunda Is. (Lombok), Celebes, throughout the Philippines and Moluccas (Talaud, Ternate, Sulu Is., Ceram, Ambon, Banda, Tenimber, Aru Is.), New Guinea (eastwards to Milne Bay Distr.).
Recorded doubtfully, on sterile material, from the Andaman Is. by Kurz () but unlikely as it is absent from Sumatra, Malaya, and Borneo.
Recorded doubtfully, on sterile material, from the Andaman Is. by Kurz () but unlikely as it is absent from Sumatra, Malaya, and Borneo.
Uses
Used medicinally against purpuric fever and to delay pregnancy (Mindanao). The leaves are used to stupify fish and the wood makes durable fence posts and handles for rice-knives.
Notes
A widespread, common and noticeable species. The flowers are described as yellow and as having a fragrant scent. The wood is soft and white.
Citation
Heyne 1927: Nutt. Pl.: 1208
Blanco 1877 – In: Fl. Filip., ed. 3: 283
Seem. 1918: Sp. Blanc.: 294
Seem. 1916 – In: Atlas: f. 677 & 678
K. & V. 1900 – In: Bijdr.: 11
F.-Vill. 1880: Nov. App.: 102
Miq. 1856 – In: Fl. Ind. Bat.: 762
Blanco 1845: Fl. Filip., ed. 2: 157
Merr. 1906 – In: Philip. J. Sc.: Suppl. 110
Koord. 1912 – In: Exk. Fl. Java: 716
F.-Vill. 1880: Nov. App.: 102
Roxb. 1832 – In: Fl. Ind., ed. Carey: 108
Seem. 1886: Rev. Pl. Vase. Filip.: 145
Koord. 1898: Minah.: 491
Merr. 1917: Int. Rumph.: 408
Boerl. 1890 – In: Handl.: 647
Bakh. f. & Ooststr. 1948 – In: Back., Bekn. Fl. Java, (em. ed.), 7: fam. 159, p. 12
Hutch. 1967 – In: Gen. Fl. Pl.: 68
Vidal 1885: Phan. Cuming.: 117
Presl 1851: Epim.: 250
Seem. 1923 – In: En. Philip.: 233
Philipson 1978 – In: Blumea: 170
Back. & Bakh.f. 1965 – In: Fl. Java: 167
Miq. 1864 – In: Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugd.-Bat.: 220
Harms 1894 – In: E. & P., Nat. Pfl. Fam. 3: 44