Trema cannabina Lour.
| 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: Least Concern | |
| 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.