Ochrosia elliptica

Ochrosia elliptica, commonly known as northern ochrosia, bloodhorn, scarlet wedge-apple, or simply ochrosia, is a tree in the dogbane family Apocynaceae native to north-eastern Australia and the southwest Pacific.[1][4][5]

Northern ochrosia
An Ochrosia elliptica in the Bahamas
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Ochrosia
Species:
O. elliptica
Binomial name
Ochrosia elliptica
Synonyms[4]

Homotypic:

  • Bleekeria elliptica (Labill.) Koidz.
  • Excavatia elliptica (Labill.) Markgr.
  • Lactaria elliptica (Labill.) Kuntze

Heterotypic:

  • Bleekeria calocarpa Hassk.
  • Bleekeria kalocarpa Hassk.
  • Lactaria calocarpa (Hassk.) Hassk.
  • Lactaria parviflora (G.Don) Kuntze
  • Ochrosia calocarpa (Hassk.) Miq.
  • Ochrosia elliptica f. syncarpa Boiteau
  • Ochrosia noumeensis Baill. ex Guillaumin
  • Ochrosia parviflora G.Don

Description

The northern ochrosia is a small tree growing to about 6 m (20 ft) high. The leaves are glossy dark green above and paler below, arranged in whorls of three or four, and held on petioles around 5 to 10 mm (0.20 to 0.39 in) long.[5][6] They have around 20–25 distinct secondary (lateral) veins and one or two intramarginal veins (i.e. a vein that parallels the leaf margin). The tertiary venation is obscure on the upper surface.[5][6] The leaf shape is obovate to broadly elliptic, and they measure up to 17 cm (6.7 in) long by 7 cm (2.8 in) wide.[5][6]

The flowers occur in axilliary clusters and are small, yellow/white and fragrant. They are followed by pairs of striking red fruit 5–6 cm long by 2–3 cm in diameter, which resemble elongated tomatoes or a pair of red horns. The fruits are poisonous, and plants bleed white sap copiously when wounded.[7]

Uses

The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of beads. It is cultivated for its medicinal use in China. It is widely distributed as an ornamental, being valued for its startling bright red fruits and dense clusters of cream flowers that are produced throughout the year on an open spreading leafy canopy.

Its fruit and sap are highly poisonous.[8]

Other names

China: Gu cheng mei gui shu.

English: Berrywood tree, Bloodhorn, Elliptic yellowwood, Mangrove ochrosia, Wedge apple.[9]

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ochrosia elliptica.
  1. "Species profile—Ochrosia elliptica". Queensland Department of Environment and Science. Queensland Government. 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  2. Rivers, M.C. (2021). "Ochrosia elliptica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T170446721A170446765. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T170446721A170446765.en. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  3. "Ochrosia elliptica". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  4. "Ochrosia elliptica Labill". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  5. F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Ochrosia elliptica". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  6. Forster, P.I. (2022). "Ochrosia elliptica". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  7. "Ochrosia elliptica".
  8. "Ochrasia elliptica".
  9. "Ochrosia elliptica".
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