Gunpowder tree
Melochia umbellata (Houtt.) Stapf
Melochia umbellata is a flowering plant in the Malvaceae family, commonly known as the Gunpowder tree. It is native to various regions including India, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. The species name derives from the Latin 'umbellatus,' describing its umbel-like inflorescence.
Description
Melochia umbellata belongs to the Malvaceae family and is widely distributed across regions such as India, Bangladesh, Borneo, the Philippines, and parts of the Pacific. The plant's name reflects the shape of its inflorescence, which resembles an umbel. It was first described in 1913 and is recognized by its specific epithet, 'umbellata,' derived from the Latin term for 'umbel-like.'
Other common names
Gunpowder treeTangkal bintenoohierba del soldado
Distribution
PW · FM · PG · Global · Hawaii · Bangladesh · Borneo · Cambodia · Christmas I. · India · Jawa · Laos · Lesser Sunda Is. · Malaya · Myanmar · New Guinea · Nicobar Is. · Philippines · Santa Cruz Is. · Solomon Is. · Sri Lanka · Sumatera · Thailand · Vietnam
Synonyms
Visenia tiliifoliaRiedlea velutinaRiedlea tiliifoliaAleurodendron albumMelochia velutinaVisenia indicaVisenia umbellataMelochia arboreaVisenia javanicaRiedlea aleurodendronRiedlea cordataRiedlea wallichianaVisenia albaVisenia tomentosaVisenia velutinaRiedlea tiliaefoliaMelochia indicaMelochia indica var. deglabrataMelochia odorata var. schlechteriHypericum pentandrumGlossospermum cordatumGlossospermum velutinumVisenia velutinaVisenia umbellata
