Dillenia suffruticosa

2022-10-10T15:07:10Z

172.71.94.191: /* References */

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}
{{speciesbox
| name =
| image = Dil suffrut 100524-1817 sap.jpg
| genus = Dillenia
| species = suffruticosa
| authority = ([[William Griffith (botanist)|Griff]] ex [[Joseph Dalton Hooker|Hook.f.]] & [[Thomas Thomson (botanist)|Thomson]]) [[Ugolino Martelli|Martelli]]
| synonyms = *''Dillenia burbidgei'' (Hook.f.) Martelli
*''Dillenia suffruticosa'' var. ''borneensis'' (Ridl.) Ridl.
*''Wormia burbidgei'' Hook.f. (Unresolved) 
*''Wormia suffruticosa'' Griff. 
}}

'''''Dillenia suffruticosa''''' ('''simpoh air'''<ref name=":0"/> or '''CB Leaf'''{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}) is a species of ''[[Dillenia]]'' found in tropical South East Asia in [[secondary forest]] and [[swamp|swampy ground]]. It is a large, [[evergreen]] [[shrub]] to 6 metres high. It flowers continuously with yellow [[flower]]s 10 to 12 cm wide.<ref>[[E. J. H. Corner]], "Wayside Trees of Malaya: Vol I", [[Malayan Nature Society]], 4th ed., 1997</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/plants/others/dillenia/suffruticosa.htm|title=Simpoh air (Dillenia suffruticosa) on the Shores of Singapore|website=www.wildsingapore.com|access-date=2016-12-06}}</ref>

''Dillenia suffruticosa'' is the national flower of [[Brunei]], and can be found everywhere across the country. [[Claire Waight Keller]] included the plant to represent the country in [[Meghan Markle|Meghan Markle's]] [[Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle|wedding]] veil, which included the distinctive flora of each [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] country.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.royal.uk/wedding-dress-bridesmaids%E2%80%99-dresses-and-page-boys-uniforms| title = The Wedding Dress, Bridesmaids’ Dresses and Page Boys' Uniforms {{!}} The Royal Family}} </ref>

It is a highly [[invasive species|invasive]] [[weed]] in [[Sri Lanka]].<ref>S. Ranwala, B. Marambe, S. Wijesundara, P. Silva, D. Weerakoon, N. Atapattu, J. Gunawardena, L. Manawadu, G. Gamage, [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257964465_Post-entry_risk_assessment_of_invasive_alien_flora_of_Sri_Lanka_-_present_status_gap_analysis_and_the_most_troublesome_alien_invaders Post-entry risk assessment of invasive alien flora in Sri Lanka-present status, GAP analysis, and the most troublesome alien invaders], ''Pakistan Journal of Weed Science Research'', Special Issue, October, 2012: 863-871.</ref><ref>B.A.K. Wickramathilake, T.K. Weerasinghe and S.M.W. Ranwala, “[http://journals.sjp.ac.lk/index.php/JTFE/article/download/1844/961 Impacts of Woody Invader Dillenia suffruticosa (Griff.) Martelli on Physiochemical Properties of Soil and, Below and Above Ground Flora”], ''Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment'' Vol. 3, No. 02 (2013) 66-75.</ref>

==Description==
''Dillena suffruticosa'' is described to be a 6–10 meters high shrub, with alternating leaves, simple, pinnately-veined, petiole winged, blade-like 12-40x6-12 cm leaves, and a eudicot plant. The flowers are large, 10–13 cm wide, they are yellow in color and scentless. They are found on long peduncles and face downwards; the plant produces no nectar. The flower blooms daily at around 3am and opening flowers are fully opened one hour before sunrise.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.asianplant.net/Dilleniaceae/Dillenia_suffruticosa.htm|title=Dillenia suffruticosa|website=www.asianplant.net|access-date=2016-12-06}}</ref> Other sources (Corners) say that bees appear to be the pollinators which gather their pollen, as well as small beetles and flies that scramble over the flowers, the flower moves in the appropriate position to prepare for fruit growth (pointing up when the flower starts to produce fruits, the fruits take up to 5 weeks to develop.<ref name=":0" /> The fruit is pink and is a star-shaped capsule with purple seeds that have a fleshy, bright red [[aril]]. The fruits are eaten by birds and even by monkeys.<ref name=":1" />

==Distribution and habitat==
The plant is found in tropical [[Southeast Asia|South East Asia]] in secondary forest and swampy grounds that are undisturbed forest such as riversides up to 700 m altitude. They can also be found on alluvial places such as swamps, mangroves, riversides, but sometimes also present on hillsides and ridges, which have clayey to sandy soil texture. ''Dillenia suffruticosa'' is also found in Sri Lanka, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo and in the tropical regions of Singapore,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ibrahim |first1=Hassan |title=Saving A Prehistoric Fern From Extinction |url=https://www.nparks.gov.sg/mygreenspace/issue-05-vol-2-2010/conservation/saving-a-prehistoric-fern-from-extinction |website=nparks.gov.sg |accessdate=30 September 2019 |language=en}}</ref> and Hawaii (where it is an introduced species).{{Citation needed|date=November 2019}}

==Uses==
''Dillenia suffruticosa'' has other uses, these include medicine and storage. The medicinal properties include the leaves and roots being used against inflammations, itch, stomach ache, and recovery after [[parturition|delivery]].<ref>[https://www.flowerchimp.sg/blogs/guide/national-flower-southeast-asian-country Uses Of Dillenia Flower] Flower Chimp Singapore </ref> The storage properties consist of large leaves of the plant being used to wrap food ([[tempeh]] or fermented soy bean cake) instead of using a plastic bag and/or the leaves can be shaped into a cone to contain or hold food ([[rojak]]). They can be used to attract birds in urban areas and are planted as an ornamental plant.<ref name=":0" />

== Synonyms ==
#''Dillenia burbidgei (Hook.f.) Martelli''<ref name=":1" />
#''Dillenia suffruticosa var borneensis Ridl''<ref name=":1" />
#''Wormia burbidgei Hook.f'' <ref name=":1" />
#''Wormia subsessilis Miq, Wormia subsessilis var. borneensis Ridl''<ref name=":1" />
#''Wormia suffruticosa Griff''<ref name=":1" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q5276875}}

[[Category:Dillenia|suffruticosa]]
[[Category:Flora of Malesia]]
[[Category:Invasive plant species in Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:State symbols of the Nation of Brunei]]
[[Category:State symbols of the Nation of Brunei]]

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Dillenia suffruticosa