Knema globularia explained

Knema globularia or seashore nutmeg is a species of plant in the family Myristicaceae. It is a tree found in Cambodia, China, India and Southeast Asia. It grows on rocky and sandy coasts, riverbanks, and lowland forests.[1] [2]

Botany

The tree grows to average of 4-5 metres, but it can grow tall up to 24 m. It has brown to dark green bark with a scaly or cracking surface. The leaves are oblong measuring 4–24 centimetres long and 1.5—7 sm wide, each of them has a shiny surface and a dull bottom.[1] [2]

The tree flowers from April to July in most places, but November to February in Thailand. It bears clusters of 1 to 5 fruit, each fruit is spherical with a diameter between 1.0–2 cm and covered with rust brown hairs. When the fruit is ripe, it splits to reveal a seed covered in a bright red or yellowish-orange aril.[1] [2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Seashore nutmeg (Knema globularia) . Tan . Ria . 2023 . Wild Singapore . 27 May 2023 .
  2. de Wilde . W. J. J. O. . Myristicaceae . 1994 . Flora Malesiana . 14 . 1 . 1–632 . Naturalis Institutional Repository.