Volume 7 > Part 4 > Year 2002 > Page 853 > Myrtaceae > Syzygium

26. Syzygium formosum (Wall.) Masam.wfo-0000318648

Enum. Phan. Born: 528. 1942; N.P.Balakr., Fl. Jowai 1: 199. 1981; Harid. & R.R.Rao, Forest Fl. Meghalaya: 396. 1985; D.G.Long & Rae in Grierson & D.G.Long, Fl. Bhutan 2: 280, figs. 33i & j. 1991; P.H.Hô, Câyco Viêtnam 2: 50. 1992 [as Zyzygium formosum (Wall.) Masam.]; Chantar. & J.Parn., Thai Forest Bull. (Bot.) 21: 62. 1994.— Eugenia formosa Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 2: 6, t. 108. 1831; Brand., Ind. Trees: 317. 1906; Kurz, Forest Fl. Burma 1: 492. 1877, Duthie in Hook.f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 2: 471. 1878; King in J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Pt. 2, Nat. Hist. 70: 80. 1901; in Mater. Fl. Mal. Pen. 12: 510. 1901; Ridl. in J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc. 79: 64. 1918; in J. Fed. Malay States Mus. 10: 90. 1920; Craib in Fl. Siam. Enum. 1: 641. 1931.— Jambosa formosa (Wall.) Walp., Repert. 2: 191. 1843; A.M.Cowan & Cowan, Trees N. Bengal: 66. 1929.

Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.

Synonyms & Citations :

Description : Tree to 20 m. Twigs terete or slightly compressed and channelled below nodes, the bark whitish grey or dark brown. Leaves whorled, rarely opposite, with petiole 1.1–2.8 mm; lamina 23–46.1 by 9.7–13.8 cm, elliptic, base cordate, apex acute or broadly acute; midrib impressed on the upper surface, secondary veins ca 13 pairs, intramarginal vein absent, sometimes with the secondary veins ascending to a shallow loop near the apex. Inflorescence solitary or in fasicles (of 2-inflorescences) in the axils of fallen leaves, corymbose, with 4–6 flowers; peduncle 3–21 mm, rachis and branches terete; bracts 1.7 by 1 mm, triangular; bracteoles 1.7 by 1.4 mm. Flowers white or reddish, pedicel 4–24 mm. Hypanthial cup 15–20 mm, funnel-shaped, ribbed when dried. Pseudostipe 5–6 mm. Sepals 4, 3.2–7 by 11–12 mm, transverse oblong or suborbicular, the inner lobes larger than outer lobes. Petals 4, 9.5–11.5 mm, free, orbicular, >200 gland dots per petal. Outer stamens 19–20 mm; anther 1.3–1.5 mm, linear oblong. Style 35–38 mm. Ovary 2-locular, 29–34 ovules per locule. Fruits 3–4 cm diam., depressed globose.

Thailand : NORTHERN: Chiang Mai, Lampang, Tak, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok; NORTH EASTERN: Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon; SOUTH-WESTERN: Kanchanaburi; SOUTH-EASTERN: Chanthaburi; PENINSULAR: Krabi, Satun, Songkhla.

Distribution : India, Sikkim, Bangladesh (Chittagong, Moulmein – type), Burma, Vietnam.

Ecology : Streamsides, bamboo and evergreen forests, 50–700 m alt.

Vernacular : Chomphu nam (ชมพู่น้ำ)(Chiang Mai); mi-ta-khong (มี่ตาฆ้อง)(Karen-Kanchanaburi).

Uses: A decoction of the leaves is used externally in Veitnam to wash ulcers.

Notes: Syzygium formosum is widespread from India to Thailand and Kerr 13867, from Satun province, represents the most southerly extent of its range.

E-version notes : As Syzygium formosum (Wall.) Mason, Fl. Burma.: 554. 1851.