Bhesa nitidissima | |
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Scientific classification
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Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Malpighiales |
Family: | Centroplacaceae |
Genus: | Bhesa |
Species: | B. nitidissima
|
Binomial name | |
Bhesa nitidissima |
Bhesa nitidissima is a species of plant in the Centroplacaceae family. It is endemic to Sri Lanka.
A tree with an average height of 20-30 meters (65-98 feet) [2] but can reach as high as 50 meters (164 feet). [3] Bark is usually dark brown and deeply cracked on older specimens. The unique feature of the Bhesa genus within the Centroplacaceae family is its geniculate petioles; which essentially means that the leaf bends sharply away from the stalk. The petiole usually contains three vascular bundles. Seed germination is epigeal. [3] Produces 3-4mm wide, greenish to white sessile flowers with 5 petals. The flowers produce greenish brown, oblong seeds encased in a thick gelatinous aril inside capsules up to 2.2cm long. [2]
Endemic to Sri Lanka. Found mostly in low elevation wet zone forests, but have a recorded range of up to 1600 meters (5249 feet). The tree flowers September through October and produces fruit November through December. [2] Although listed as critically endangered in 1998, [1] a 2017 handbook of Sri Lankan flora suggests the tree is now quite common. [2]
The arils of Bhesa are a known human food source. The tree is occasionally used for timber. [3] Extracts from this genus are used in traditional medicine, to cure vomiting and diarrhea. [4]
Bhesa nitidissima | |
---|---|
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Malpighiales |
Family: | Centroplacaceae |
Genus: | Bhesa |
Species: | B. nitidissima
|
Binomial name | |
Bhesa nitidissima |
Bhesa nitidissima is a species of plant in the Centroplacaceae family. It is endemic to Sri Lanka.
A tree with an average height of 20-30 meters (65-98 feet) [2] but can reach as high as 50 meters (164 feet). [3] Bark is usually dark brown and deeply cracked on older specimens. The unique feature of the Bhesa genus within the Centroplacaceae family is its geniculate petioles; which essentially means that the leaf bends sharply away from the stalk. The petiole usually contains three vascular bundles. Seed germination is epigeal. [3] Produces 3-4mm wide, greenish to white sessile flowers with 5 petals. The flowers produce greenish brown, oblong seeds encased in a thick gelatinous aril inside capsules up to 2.2cm long. [2]
Endemic to Sri Lanka. Found mostly in low elevation wet zone forests, but have a recorded range of up to 1600 meters (5249 feet). The tree flowers September through October and produces fruit November through December. [2] Although listed as critically endangered in 1998, [1] a 2017 handbook of Sri Lankan flora suggests the tree is now quite common. [2]
The arils of Bhesa are a known human food source. The tree is occasionally used for timber. [3] Extracts from this genus are used in traditional medicine, to cure vomiting and diarrhea. [4]