Macaranga triloba
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Macaranga triloba | |
|---|---|
 | |
| M. triloba Bogor, Indonesia | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Euphorbiaceae |
| Subfamily: | Acalyphoideae |
| Tribe: | Acalypheae |
| Subtribe: | Macaranginae |
| Genus: | Macaranga |
| Species: | M. triloba |
| Binomial name | |
| Macaranga triloba (Thunb.) Müll.Arg. | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Macaranga triloba is a species of plant in the family Euphorbiaceae.[1] It is native to the tropical forests of southeastern Asia. It is a pioneer species, colonising recently cleared or burnt areas of the forest.
A small, spreading tree, M. triloba grows to a height of about 20 m (66 ft). The trunk is a light greyish-brown with smooth bark, and the twigs and shoots are largely devoid of hairs. The leaves are tri-lobed and peltate, with toothed margins. Each leaf has two erect, leathery stipules that are ovate, slightly recurved and do not encircle the stem. The inflorescence is a panicle with minute reddish-brown flowers. The fruits are rounded, sticky and yellow when ripe, the carpels developing long, horn-like processes. The fruits are about 12 mm (0.5 in) long and 7 mm (0.3 in) wide.[2]
Distribution and habitat
Macaranga triloba occurs in Indo-China, the Malay Peninsula, Singapore, Sumatra, Java and the Philippines. It grows in a range of habitats including the edges of swamp forests and dry dipterocarp forests, at altitudes up to about 1,400 m (4,600 ft).[2]
