| | | Pemphis acidula J.R.Forst & G.Forst., Char. Gen. Pl. 68, Tab. 34. 1775. | | Lythraceae | |
Description: Shrub or shrubby tree to 10 m tall, 20–40 cm in diam., stem often crooked, much branched. Twigs angular pubescent. Leaves simple, decussate, oblong to lanceolate, freshy, pubescent on both surfaces, 0.5–2.2 x 0.2–1 cm; apex acute, base cuneate, petioles pubescent, 1–2 mm long. Flowers white or pinkish white, axillary, solitary or in pairs, 6-merous. Calyx pubescent, tubular, ca 0.5 cm long, lobes minute. Petals oblong, to ca 1 cm long with short claw, inserted between calyx lobes. Stamens 12. Ovary superior, 1-locular, many ovules; style one. Capsule tubular with rounded apex, glabrous, ca 0.7 cm long, upper part falling as a lid; style persistent; stalk 0.5–1 cm long. | | | |
Distribution: Widely distributed from E Africa, S China, Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Malesia, Philippines, Taiwan, to N Australia and the Pacifics. It is confined to strand vegetation close to the hightide line along the shores, rocky limestone, sometimes found at the edge of mangrove forest.
Notes: Last updated on 22 December 2016. | |
Thai name: Thien le (เทียนเล) | |
Photos: Rachun Pooma (Bang Than Thong, Chumphon) | |
References:
| Sosef, M.S.M., L.T. Hong and S. Prawirohatmodjo. 1998. Plant Resources of South-East Asia No. 5(3): Timber Trees: Lesser-Known Timbers. PROSEA, Bogor: 435–436. |
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