Trophis scandens (PROSEA)
Introduction |
Trophis scandens (Lour.) Hook. & Arnott
- Family: Moraceae
Synonyms
Caturus scandens Lour., Malaisia scandens (Lour.) Planchon, M. tortuosa Blanco.
Vernacular names
- Crow ash (En)
- Philippines: malaisis (Tagalog), sadak (Ilokano), salimpagot (Tagbanua).
Distribution
From China and Taiwan through South-East Asia (including Peninsular Malaysia and the Philippines) to Australia and New Caledonia.
Uses
In Malaysia and the Philippines the stems are used for tying, e.g. for making fish traps. In the Philippines T. scandens is used and promoted as a fodder plant. A decoction of the leaves is administered to women after childbirth.
Observations
A scandent shrub. Leaves alternate, simple; stipules small; petiole 0.5-1 cm long; blade ovate, elliptical to oblong, 8-10 cm × 2.5-5 cm. Inflorescence unisexual; male inflorescence spicate to subspicate, 1-1.5 cm long, tepals 3(-4), pubescent, valvate in bud; female inflorescence subcapitate up to 5 mm in diameter. Fruit an achene, free, somewhat drupaceous, about 8 mm × 5 mm; fruiting perianth enlarged, fleshy, red, containing 1-4 achenes. Seed with unequal cotyledons. T. scandens occurs widely in Philippine forest at low and medium altitudes.
Selected sources
12, 19, 20, 48, 83, 161.
Authors
M. Brink, P.C.M. Jansen & C.H. Bosch