Cleidion spiciflorum (PROSEA)

Plant Resources of South-East Asia Introduction

List of species

Cleidion spiciflorum (Burm.f.) Merr.

Protologue: Interpr. Herb. amboin.: 322 (1917).

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Chromosome number: 2n = unknown

Cleidion javanicum Blume (1826).

• Philippines: saligao (Tagalog, Iloko), hantatampsi (Cebu Bisaya), malatuba (Bikol)
• Thailand: madeemee (northern), kamlai (Surat Thani), kaadaao krachaai (Prachuap Khiri Khan)
• Vietnam: mỏ chim, cơm gào.

C. spiciflorum is very widely distributed, from India, Sri Lanka and the Andaman Islands, through Burma (Myanmar), Indo-China, southern China, Thailand and the whole Malesian region (but not yet reported for the Moluccas), to the Solomon Islands, the Bismarck Archipelago and northern Australia (Queensland).

In the Philippines, a decoction of C. spiciflorum bark is taken internally as a stomachic, and a decoction of the leaves has been used to induce abortion. The seeds are effective in treating constipation. In traditional medicine in the Solomon Islands, a decoction of the bark is used to bathe babies suffering from scabies, and the seeds are chewed with betel nut ( Areca catechu L.) to relieve colds. However, some caution is needed as the plant is said to be poisonous. The tree has several mystical uses in the Solomon Islands. It is sometimes cultivated as a shade tree in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The wood is occasionally used, e.g. for stakes to cultivate yams ( Dioscorea ) in the Solomon Islands, or as firewood.

There is no information on the phytochemistry or pharmacological properties of C. spiciflorum . The wood is greyish-white and soft.

A dioecious, small to medium-sized tree up to 28 m tall, bole up to 40 cm in diameter, lacking buttresses; branches glabrous. Leaves arranged spirally, simple, elliptical to lanceolate-elliptical, (5.5-)10-21 cm × (2.5-)4-8.5 cm, acute or obtuse at base, acuminate or obtuse at apex, crenate to serrate-dentate or sometimes subentire at margins, glabrous but with scattered glands below, pinnately veined; petiole 0.5-6 cm long, slender, kneed at both ends; stipules fugacious. Inflorescence axillary, unisexual, male one spiciform-racemose, up to 20 cm long, female flowers usually solitary. Flowers unisexual, with 3-5 perianth lobes (petals absent), disk absent; male flowers with numerous free or connate stamens on a conical receptacle; female flowers with very long pedicel and a superior, 2(-3)-celled ovary, styles 2(-3), very long, connate at base, deeply bifid. Fruit a 2(-3)-celled, double-globose, woody capsule 1.5-2.5 cm in diameter, with persistent, lateral or subterminal styles, usually splitting into 2 one-seeded parts. Seeds subglobose, c. 1.2 mm in diameter, dark brown, mottled, smooth.

Cleidion is a pantropical genus of about 25 species.

C. spiciflorum occurs in rain forest, or on stream- or riversides in drier regions, also at the foot of limestone hills, in ridge forest and swamp forest, up to 800 m altitude. It is common in many regions, e.g. in Thailand and New Guinea, but rare in some other regions, e.g. Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo.

C. spiciflorum is widespread, locally common, and does not seem to be liable to genetic erosion. However, in several regions it is rare, and nothing is known about the genetic variability.

It is striking that C. spiciflorum is used in traditional medicine in regions as far apart as the Philippines and the Solomon Islands. It may be a tree of future importance, for medicinal uses as well as a shade tree. However, research on its phytochemical and pharmacological properties is desirable.

332, 760.

19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 62, 121, 731, 782, 990.

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Janahar Murad