''Cratoxylum'' (or ''Cratoxylon'' , an
orthographic variant
In biology, within the science of scientific nomenclature, i.e. the naming of organisms, an orthographical variant (abbreviated orth. var.) in botany or an orthographic error in zoology, is a spelling mistake, typing mistake or writing mistake wit ...
) is a
genus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
of
flowering plant
Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (). The term angiosperm is derived from the Ancient Greek, Greek words (; 'container, vessel') and (; 'seed'), meaning that the seeds are enclosed with ...
s in the
family
Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...
Hypericaceae
Hypericaceae is a plant family in the order Malpighiales, comprising six to nine genera and up to 700 species, and commonly known as the St. John's wort family. Members are found throughout the world apart from extremely cold or dry habitats. ...
, native to tropical Asia. The generic name means "strong wood", referring to the timber.
[
]
Description
''Cratoxylum'' species grow as shrubs or small to medium-sized trees. The bark, drying black, produces a yellow resinous sap
Sap is a fluid transported in the xylem cells (vessel elements or tracheids) or phloem sieve tube elements of a plant. These cells transport water and nutrients throughout the plant.
Sap is distinct from latex, resin, or cell sap; it is a s ...
. The flowers are white or pink to crimson. The ellipsoid fruits consist of three valves.[
]
Distribution and habitat
''Cratoxylum'' species grow naturally from India
India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
through southern China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...
to Malesia
Malesia is a biogeographical region straddling the Equator and the boundaries of the Indomalayan and Australasian realms. It is a phytogeographical floristic region in the Paleotropical kingdom. It was first recognized as a distinct region ...
.[
]
Species
, Plants of the World Online
Plants of the World Online (POWO) is an online taxonomic database published by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
History
Following the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew launched Plants of the World Online i ...
recognises seven species:[
* '' Cratoxylum arborescens''
* '' Cratoxylum cochinchinense''
* '']Cratoxylum formosum
''Cratoxylum formosum'' is a species of flowering plant in the family Hypericaceae. Its commercial name in timber production is "mampat". The trees reach to tall, though they rarely achieve the size required for timber exploitation.
Descriptio ...
''
* '' Cratoxylum glaucum''
* '' Cratoxylum maingayi''
* '' Cratoxylum neriifolium''
* '' Cratoxylum sumatranum''
References
Cratoxylum
{{Cratoxylum-stub