Scyphiphora

Scyphiphora
Scyphiphora hydrophylacea
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Rubiaceae
Subfamily:	Ixoroideae
Tribe:	Scyphiphoreae
Genus:	Scyphiphora C.F.Gaertn.
Species:	S. hydrophylacea
Binomial name
Scyphiphora hydrophylacea C.F.Gaertn.
Synonyms
EpithiniaJack

Scyphiphora is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. It is the only genus in the tribe Scyphiphoreae. The genus contains only one species, viz. Scyphiphora hydrophylacea, which has a large distribution range from India, to tropical Asia and the western Pacific. ^[1] It is a shrub of about 3 m (10 ft) and is often found in mangrove forests or sandy beaches.

This flora has many local common names in Asia, such as Nilad or Sagasa in the Philippines. Also, it is called Ngam in Thailand, Côi in Vietnam, and Chen—ngam in Malaysia. ^[2]

Description

Fruiting twig

Flowers

Its leaves are opposite. The leaf blades are broad and drop-shaped. Its terminal buds and young leaves are coated with a varnish-like substance. The flowers are tubular and have four white lobes that are tinged pink. They are arranged in dense clusters. The fruits are elliptic and deeply ridged, becoming light brown and buoyant when ripe.

Uses

Its dark brown wood can be used to craft small objects. Leaf extracts are known to be helpful for stomach aches. ^[3] The flowers can be used as a cleansing or laundry whitening agent.^{[ citation needed ]}

Culture

Main article: Manila § Etymology

One popular etymology for Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, asserts that the city's name derives from this shrub, locally known as nilad. ^[4]

Chemistry

The plant contains friedelin, syringic acid, isoscopoletin, fraxetol, casuarinondiol and guaiacylglycerol-beta-ferulic acid ether. ^[5]

References

1. "Search results for Scyphiphora". The Plant List. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
2. "Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea" . Retrieved 20 August 2018.
3. "Mangrove flora: Chengam (scyphiphora hydrophyllacea)".
4. Reyes, Wensley M.; Mataac, Trisha Anne M. (2025). "Ang Pagbabalik ng "Nilad": Kasaysayan ng Isang Toponimo". In Navarro, Atoy M.; Reyes, Wensley M. (eds.). Maestra sa Maynila: Kalipunan ng mga Saliksik sa Araling Maynila at Aklat-Parangal Kay Dr. Celestina P. Boncan (in Filipino). Manila: Department of Social Sciences, University of the Philippines Manila. pp. 21–82. ISBN   978-621-96068-9-9.
5. Tao, SH; Gao, GC; Qi, SH; Li, QX; Zhang, S (2009). "[Studies on the chemical constituents of Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea (II)]". Zhong Yao Cai. 32 (5): 712–4. PMID   19771844.

External links

• Scyphiphora in the World Checklist of Rubiaceae