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Semecarpus cuneiformis

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Semecarpus cuneiformis
In Taiwan
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Anacardiaceae
Genus: Semecarpus
Species:
S. cuneiformis
Binomial name
Semecarpus cuneiformis
Synonyms[1]
List
  • Semecarpus elmeri Perkins
  • Semecarpus ferrugineus Merr.
  • Semecarpus megabotrys Merr.
  • Semecarpus merrillianus Perkins
  • Semecarpus micranthus Perkins
  • Semecarpus obtusifolius Merr.
  • Semecarpus perrottetii Marchand
  • Semecarpus philippinensis Engl.
  • Semecarpus pilosus Merr.
  • Semecarpus ridleyi Merr.
  • Semecarpus taftianus Perkins
  • Semecarpus thyrsoideus Elmer
  • Semecarpus whitfordii Merr.

Semecarpus cuneiformis is a tree in the cashew and sumac family Anacardiaceae.[2] The specific epithet cuneiformis is from the Latin meaning 'wedge-shaped', referring to the leaf base.[3]

Description

Semecarpus cuneiformis grows as a tree up to 15 metres (50 ft) tall with a trunk diameter of up to 20 cm (8 in). The leaves measure up to 28 cm (11 in) long. Its roundish fruits measure up to 0.7 cm (0.3 in) in diameter.[3]

Distribution and habitat

Semecarpus cuneiformis grows naturally in Borneo, the Philippines, Sulawesi, the Lesser Sunda Islands and Taiwan. Its habitat is lowland forests from sea-level to 100 m (300 ft) altitude.[3]

Semecarpus cuneiformis figures in the etiological legend of the community of Krus Na Ligas in Quezon City, Philippines, which is famous for adjoining the campus of the University of the Philippines Diliman. According to the legend, the earliest settlers of the village noticed that a particular specimen of Semecarpus cuneiformis, known locally as a "Ligas" tree had branches which took the form of a cross. The highly religious settlers thus named their community after the tree.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b "Semecarpus cuneiformis Blanco". Tropicos. Missouri Botanical Gardens. Retrieved 20 Jul 2015 – via The Plant List. Note that this website has been superseded by World Flora Online
  2. ^ "Semecarpus cuneiformis Blanco". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c Kochummen, K. M. (1996). "Semecarpus cuneiformis Blanco" (PDF). In Soepadmo, E.; Wong, K. M.; Saw, L. G. (eds.). Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak. (free online from the publisher, lesser resolution scan PDF versions). Vol. 2. Forest Research Institute Malaysia. p. 77. ISBN 983-9592-56-4. Retrieved 20 Jul 2015.
  4. ^ Llaneta, Celeste Ann Castillo (2019-09-13). "UP and Barangay Krus Na Ligas: Intersections of History". University of the Philippines. Archived from the original on 2019-09-17. Retrieved 2019-09-17.