Elaeocarpus

Elaeocarpus
Elaeocarpus sylvestris, branch with fruits
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Oxalidales
Family: Elaeocarpaceae
Genus: Elaeocarpus
L.
Type species
Elaeocarpus serratus
L.f.
Species

Some 350, see text

Elaeocarpus is a genus of tropical and subtropical evergreen trees and shrubs. The approximately 350 species are distributed from Madagascar in the west through India, Southeast Asia, Malaysia, southern China, and Japan, through Australia to New Zealand, Fiji, and Hawaii in the east. The islands of Borneo and New Guinea have the greatest concentration of species. These trees are well-known for their attractive, pearl-like fruit which are often colorful. A notable feature of the family is the drooping, often frilly, small clusters of flowers.

Many species are threatened, in particular by habitat loss.

In Darjeeling and Sikkim areas, the fruit of several species of Elaeocarpus is called bhadrasey and is used to make pickles and chutney. The seeds of Elaeocarpus ganitrus are used to make rudraksha, a type of Hindu prayer beads.

Selected species

Elaeocarpus dentatus foliage
Elaeocarpus hainanensis flowers

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Elaeocarpus.
  1. ↑ "Kalia". Native Hawaiian Plants. Kapiʻolani Community College. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
  2. ↑ "Kalia". Hawaiian Ethnobotany Database. Bernice P. Bishop Museum. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
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