Mitragyna diversifolia (PROSEA)
Introduction |
Mitragyna diversifolia (Wall. ex G. Don) Havil.
- Family: Rubiaceae
Synonyms
Mitragyna javanica Koord. & Valeton.
Vernacular names
- Indonesia: sepatan, wuru sapi (Java), ki sepat (Sundanese)
- Thailand: tawm na, tawm ki mu, katum nam.
Distribution
Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Indo-China, China, Peninsular Malaysia, Indonesia (Java) and the Philippines.
Uses
The wood is recorded as being useful for paper making. In Java it is occasionally used as timber.
Observations
A tree, up to 13(-17) m tall. Leaves opposite; stipules interpetiolar, 10-12 mm long; petiole 1.2-2.5 cm long; blade oblong obovate or broadly ovate-orbicular, 6-16 cm × 3.5-8 cm, base obtuse or rounded, apex rounded or very obtuse, with 8-12 pairs of nerves. Inflorescence corymbose, consisting of globose heads 1-1.8 cm in diameter; flowers sessile; calyx-tube and limb up to 2 mm each; corolla white, funnel-shaped, about 6 mm long, lobes as long as tube. Fruit 2-celled, dehiscent. Seed small, winged. M. diversifolia is locally abundant in open or periodically dry forest. M. speciosa (Korth.) Havil. is used medicinally throughout South-East Asia.
Selected sources
6, 20, 148, 191.
Authors
M. Brink, P.C.M. Jansen & C.H. Bosch