| Etymology | Genus | From Greek, Trema, meaning hole or aperture; referring to the pitted stone in the fruit |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Cannabis-like; reference to plant unknown | |
| Family | Cannabaceae | |
| Synonyms | Trema timorensis Blume, Trema virgata (Roxb. ex Wall.) Blume | |
| Common Names | Lesser Trema, Poison Bush | |
| Status | Native: Common | |
| Form | Shrub | |
| Native Distribution | China, Japan, Tropical Asia, Australia (Queensland), Pacific Islands | |
Diagnostics:
Trema cannabina is a shrub found commonly along edges of our rainforests. It can be easily distinguished from the alternately arranged leaves, which have serrated margins and a long tapering drip tip. The primary veins comes in 3, with the mid-vein also branching prominently 2-3 times more into secondary veins (eFloras, n.d.).
Interesting Facts:
The fiber of the Lesser Trema is used for manufacturing ropes and paper, while the seed oil is used for soaps and lubricants (eFloras, n.d.).
A bush of Lesser Trema at the edge of a forest.
A branch, showing the leaves' long drip tips and alternative arrangement.
Fruit and serrated margins of the leaves.
References
eFloras (n.d.) Trema cannabina. Flora of China. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge. http://www.efloras.org/. Accessed on 23-Nov-2018.
Author: Siyang
Posted: 2018-11-24 / Modified: 2018-11-25