Trophis scandens (PROSEA)

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Plant Resources of South-East Asia
Introduction
List of species


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