Glochidion puberum
in C. S. Sargent, Pl. Wilson. 2: 518. 1916.
Shrubs, 1–5 m. Leaves on main stems spiral. Leaves on ultimate branchlets distichous; petiole 1–4 mm; blade usually oblong, oblong-ovate, or obovate-oblong, rarely lanceolate, 3–9 × 1–3 cm, base cuneate to obtuse, apex acute or acuminate to obtuse or rounded. Pedicels: staminate 4–15 mm, pistillate 1–2 mm. Staminate flowers: sepals oblong to oblong-obovate, 2.5–3.5 mm. Pistillate flowers: sepals oblong, 2–3 mm. Capsules grooved, 8–15 mm diam., densely hairy. Seeds red, 4 mm. 2n = 64 (China).
Phenology: Flowering and fruiting summer.
Habitat: Disturbed mixed forests.
Elevation: 10–20 m.
Distribution
Introduced; Ala., Asia (China, Japan, Taiwan).
Discussion
Glochidion puberum is sometimes cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas and occasionally becomes naturalized. In the flora area, the species is limited to southern Alabama (Mobile County), where it was first found in the late twentieth century (M. L. Fearn and L. E. Urbatsch 2001). In its native range, roots, leaves, and fruit are used medicinally to treat a variety of ailments (Lai X. Z. et al. 2004), and the seed oil is used to make soap and as a lubricant (Li B. and M. G. Gilbert 2008).
Selected References
None.