Symplocos odoratissima

Symplocos odoratissima
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Symplocaceae
Genus:	Symplocos
Species:	S. odoratissima
Binomial name
	Symplocos odoratissima; (Blume) Choisy ex Zoll.
Synonyms
	Dicalix odoratissimus Blume ; Eugenioides odoratissimum (Blume) Kuntze ;

Symplocos odoratissima is a tree in the family Symplocaceae, native to Southeast Asia. The specific epithet odoratissima means 'most fragrant', referring to the flowers.^[2]

Description

Symplocos odoratissima grows up to 28 metres (90 ft) tall, with a stem diameter of up to 50 cm (20 in). The bark is scaly or smooth. Its papery leaves are obovate to elliptic and measure up to 32 cm (13 in) long. The inflorescences bear yellowish-white flowers. The pear-shaped fruits turn blue when ripe and measure up to 2.5 cm (1 in) long.^[2]

Distribution and habitat

Symplocos odoratissima is native to much of maritime Southeast Asia, from the Nicobar Islands east to the Maluku Islands and north to the Philippines. Its habitat is dipterocarp forests, often on swampy terrain by rivers, to elevations of 500 m (1,600 ft).^[2]

Uses

The bark of Symplocos odoratissima is used as a dye. In Java, the bark is also locally used in traditional medicine.^[2]

Varieties

Plants of the World Online recognises two varieties of Symplocos odoratissima:^[1]

Symplocos odoratissima var. odoratissima – from the Nicobar Islands east to the Maluku Islands and north to the Philippines
Symplocos odoratissima var. wenzelii (Merr.) Noot. – Borneo and the Philippines

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Symplocos odoratissima". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Pearce, K. G. (2004). "Symplocos Jacq.". In Soepadmo, E.; Saw, L. G.; Chung, R. C. K. (eds.). Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak. Vol. 5. Forest Research Institute Malaysia. pp. 420–422. ISBN 978-2831704227.

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[POWO-1] "Symplocos odoratissima". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 16 November 2023.

[TFSS-2] Pearce, K. G. (2004). "Symplocos Jacq.". In Soepadmo, E.; Saw, L. G.; Chung, R. C. K. (eds.). Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak. Vol. 5. Forest Research Institute Malaysia. pp. 420–422. ISBN 978-2831704227.

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