Pemphis acidula j.r.forst. & g.forst.

---

Description:
Small tree or a low woody shrub up to c. 3 m tall, densely branching; the main stem rather thick and often gnarled; bark fissured-scaly. Young twigs angular and hairy. Leaves simple, decussate, c. 1⎼3 cm long, 0.5⎼0.7 cm wide, fleshy and covered with minute, fine hairs; the midrib very distinct on the lower surface of the lamina. Flowers white, solitary or paired, axillary. Fruit a small sub-globose capsule, ripening red, then brown.

Geographical distribution:
Tropical Africa, Asia, Australia, & Polynesia. Throughout the Philippines, along rocky and limestone seashore areas. Whole plants widely collected from the wild for bonsai cultivation.

References:
De Wilde, W.J.J.O. & B.E.E. Duyfjes. 2016. Lythraceae. Flora Malesiana ser. I, vol. 22: 1–64.
Fernando, E.S., V.B. Amoroso, D.N. Tandang, C.I. Banag, A.B. Lapis, W.S. Gruèzo, F.P. Coritico, F.A. Pollisco Jr., A.M. Palijon, M.D. Ching, F.P. Lansigan, C. Garcia-Francisco, N.M. Lita, A.M. Tagtag, & J.L. De Leon. 2021. Threatened Plants of the Philippines. 147p. Biodiversity Management Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Quezon City, Philippines. ISBN 978-621-96498-0-3.
Pelser, P.B., J.F. Barcelona, & D.L. Nickrent (eds.). 2011 onwards. Co’s Digital Flora of the Philippines. http://www.philippineplants.org.

---

---