Etymology | Genus | Possibly Indian Roucheria (previous genus name) |
---|---|---|
Species | After Dr. William Griffith, 19th century botanist and curator of the Botanic Garden in Calcutta | |
Family | Linaceae | |
Synonyms | Roucheria griffithiana Planch. | |
Common Names | Akar Ipoh Putih | |
Status | Native: Common | |
Form | Climber | |
Native Distribution | India to Borneo |
A common woody climber in our old secondary forests, Indorouchera griffithiana can be easily identified from the leaves which are elliptic to obovate with a long drip tip and minute serrated margins, and the distinct climbing hooks.
From Flora Malesiana (n.d.), the climber is said to contain saponin-like chemicals and are used to make arrow poison. In Sarawak, the wood is also used for making parang handles.
A climbing branch of Indorouchera griffithiana.
Leaf underside.
Leaf and hook.
Thicken hook which has grasped on another branch to climb.
Fruits.
Flora Malesiana (n.d.) Indorouchera griffithiana. http://portal.cybertaxonomy.org/flora-malesiana. Accessed on 17-Nov-2019.