Desmos dumosus (Roxb.) Saff.

Etymology Genus Greek desmos, meaning band or chain
Species Bushy, shrubby
Family Annonaceae
Synonyms Unona dumosa Roxb.
Common Names Kradang Nga Pa, Tin Tang
Status Native: Critically Endangered
Form Woody climber
Native Distribution India, Bhutan, China, Laos, Vietnam.

Diagnostics:

Desmos dumosus is a woody climber that can reach up to about 10 m tall. The leaves are thin to somewhat leathery, variable shaped from oval to spoon-like with rounded bases, pointed tips, nearly smooth upper surfaces. The branches and leaves, especially on the underside are covered with brown to golden hairs.


Interesting Facts:

Looking at some images from authoritative sources, the leaves appear different from what was identified in Singapore from various reputable botantists and what I have. There was a paper describing Desmos subbiglandulosus that more closely matches to them. But due to the inaccessibility of where this specimen was photographed, I was unable to go back to confirm it.


Scrambling vine at Nee Soon Swamp Forest edge (2013).

Leaves.

Young leaf upper surface.

Young leaf lower surface.

Flower.

References

Nikmah, I. A., Chikmawati, T., & Rugayah. (2019). Reinstatement of Desmos subbiglandulosus (Annonaceae) in Borneo. Floribunda, 6(3), 98-102.




Author: Siyang
Posted: 2025-09-27


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