Desmos chinensis
Encyclopedia
Desmos chinensis is a flowering plant
of the custard-apple
family, Annonaceae
.
It is a vine or spreading shrub that may grow up to 4 m high if it finds an adequate support, otherwise it rarely grows taller than 150 cm. The yellowish-green flowers are similar to the Ylang-ylang
flowers, therefore this plant is sometimes known as Dwarf Ylang-ylang. Their smell, however, is much less strong and is only felt in the morning. By midday it has mostly faded away.
Desmos chinensis is found throughout Southeast Asia
from Nepal
to the Philippines
.
It grows at the edge of forests in flat areas up to a height of 600 m. It may grow as a ruderal plant on the margin of roads and rural causeways, as well as in disturbed terrain. It prefers slightly shady places.
This plant is characteristic of the Bangkok
urban landscape. Supported by a metal framework, Desmos chinensis is used in Bangkok city to make shades along the sidewalks of the main streets and for bus stop
s. The advantages of Desmos chinensis are that its dense leaf growth gives a cool shade and the fact that its relatively thin trunk and root system don't break the sidewalk pavement.
Flowering plant
The flowering plants , also known as Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta, are the most diverse group of land plants. Angiosperms are seed-producing plants like the gymnosperms and can be distinguished from the gymnosperms by a series of synapomorphies...
of the custard-apple
Custard-apple
The tree also grows in Egypt,but the fruit is quite greenish in color not brown or yellowish.The common name for the fruit in Egypt is "Kishta".The custard-apple, also called bullock's heart or bull's heart, is the fruit of the tree Annona reticulata...
family, Annonaceae
Annonaceae
Annonaceae, also called the custard apple familyis a family of flowering plants consisting of trees, shrubs or rarely lianas.With about 2300 to 2500 species and more than 130 genera,...
.
It is a vine or spreading shrub that may grow up to 4 m high if it finds an adequate support, otherwise it rarely grows taller than 150 cm. The yellowish-green flowers are similar to the Ylang-ylang
Ylang-ylang
Cananga odorata, commonly called Ylang-ylang , cananga tree, ilang-ilang, kenanga , fragrant cananga, Macassar-oil plant or perfume tree),is a tree valued for its perfume...
flowers, therefore this plant is sometimes known as Dwarf Ylang-ylang. Their smell, however, is much less strong and is only felt in the morning. By midday it has mostly faded away.
Desmos chinensis is found throughout Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
from Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
to the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
.
It grows at the edge of forests in flat areas up to a height of 600 m. It may grow as a ruderal plant on the margin of roads and rural causeways, as well as in disturbed terrain. It prefers slightly shady places.
This plant is characteristic of the Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
urban landscape. Supported by a metal framework, Desmos chinensis is used in Bangkok city to make shades along the sidewalks of the main streets and for bus stop
Bus stop
A bus stop is a designated place where buses stop for passengers to board or leave a bus. These are normally positioned on the highway and are distinct from off-highway facilities such as bus stations. The construction of bus stops tends to reflect the level of usage...
s. The advantages of Desmos chinensis are that its dense leaf growth gives a cool shade and the fact that its relatively thin trunk and root system don't break the sidewalk pavement.
Names
- MalayMalay languageMalay is a major language of the Austronesian family. It is the official language of Malaysia , Indonesia , Brunei and Singapore...
: Akar pisang-pisang, kenanga hutan, akar darah. - Tagalog: Ilang-ilang gubat.
- ThaiThai languageThai , also known as Central Thai and Siamese, is the national and official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people, Thailand's dominant ethnic group. Thai is a member of the Tai group of the Tai–Kadai language family. Historical linguists have been unable to definitively...
: Saaiyut สายหยุด (Central & Peninsular), Kluai khruea (SaraburiSaraburiSaraburi is a town in central Thailand, capital of the Saraburi Province. As of 2005, it has a population of 61,900, and covers the complete tambon Pak Phriao of the Mueang Saraburi district....
), khruea khao klaep (LoeiLoeiLoei is a town in the north-east of Thailand. In 2005, it had a population of 22,677. Loei covers the whole tambon Kut Pong of Mueang Loei district.Loei is the capital of the Loei Province.- References :...
). - VietnameseVietnamese languageVietnamese is the national and official language of Vietnam. It is the mother tongue of 86% of Vietnam's population, and of about three million overseas Vietnamese. It is also spoken as a second language by many ethnic minorities of Vietnam...
: hoo gi[er] th[ow]m, n[oos]i c[oo]i.