Sycopsis Explained

Sycopsis is a genus of plants in the family Hamamelidaceae native to southern central China[1] [2] and Taiwan.

Characteristics

Sycopsis are evergreen or semi-evergreen shrubs or small trees. Their leaves are leathery and their flowers have no petals.

Species

The genus Sycopsis contains two species: Sycopsis sinensis and Sycopsis triplinerva.

Etymology and naming

Sycopsis is derived from Greek and means ‘fig-resembler’ because the person who named the genus, Daniel Oliver, thought its appearance resembled a shrubby Ficus.[3]

The Chinese vernacular name for this genus is 水丝梨属 (Shuǐ sī lí shǔ).

Notes and References

  1. 19617-1 . Sycopsis Oliv..
  2. Web site: Sycopsis sinensis . Chinese sycopsis Shrubs/RHS Gardening . 2022-03-27 .
  3. Book: Gledhill, David . 2008 . The Names of Plants . Cambridge University Press . 9780521866453 . 368.