Euonymus benguetensis (PROSEA)

Plant Resources of South-East Asia Introduction

List of species

Euonymus benguetensis Merr.

Family: Celastraceae

Vernacular names

• Philippines: suka, tabkang (Igorot).

Distribution

Indonesia (Sumatra) and the Philippines (Luzon).

Uses

In the Philippines (Luzon) the bark is used to make cloth, e.g. blankets for the dead. The bark cut into strips is made into thread for weaving. The wood is used as firewood.

Observations

A scandent or decumbent shrub. Leaves opposite; petiole 2-3 mm long; blade ovate to elliptical, 3-7.5 cm × 1.5-4 cm, base acute or cuneate, margin serrulate, crenulate or entire, apex acute to acuminate, with 3-5 pairs of veins. Inflorescence cymose, axillary, 3-10-flowered; flowers 4-merous, greenish-white or yellowish. Fruit globose, up to 13 mm in diameter, densely covered with spines. E. benguetensis occurs in montane rain forest at altitudes of 1200-2300 m.

Selected sources

15, 47, 115, 163.

Authors

M. Brink, P.C.M. Jansen & C.H. Bosch