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Meliosma
Meliosma rigida
γ’γ―γγ
An evergreen small tree growing in forests of warm regions. The name means "foam-blowing tree" because bubbles emerge when branches are broken, due to saponin content. It produces dense panicles of small white flowers.
Identification Points
- βLeaves are oblong, coriaceous and glossy, with serrated margins
- βNumerous small white flowers in large panicles
- βBranches produce foam when broken or submerged in water (contains saponins)
Habitat
Mountain forests and forest edges in warm-temperate regions
Season
JuneβJuly (flowers)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Tree
Evergreen/Deciduous
Evergreen
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf shape
Round
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Pinnate
Petal count
Many
Petal fusion
Fused
Stipules
Absent
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Flower symmetry
Actinomorphic
Ovary position
Superior
Plant sex
Hermaphrodite
Stamen count
3-4
Phylogenetic Positionγ’γ―γγη§ β
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Basal eudicots > Proteales > Sabiaceae
Divergence Era
Late Cretaceous to Paleogene
Evolution Notes
Sabiaceae is placed in the order Sapindales and is a relatively small family distributed from East Asia to Southeast Asia.
View on evolution timeline βSources & References
AI-generated, needs verification