Bischofia javanica

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Bischofia javanica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Malpighiales Family: Phyllanthaceae Tribe: Bischofieae Genus: Bischofia Blume Species: B. javanica
Binomial name
Bischofia javanica Blume

Bischofia javanica (Bishop wood) is a plant species of the family Phyllanthaceae. It and the related B. polycarpa are the only two members of genus (Bischofia) and tribe (Bischofieae). These species are distributed throughout southern and southeast Asia to Australia and Polynesia. They also occur in southwestern, central, eastern, and southern China.^[1][2]

[edit] Uses

• The dark red, dense wood is used as a building material
• The fruits are used in making wine
• The seeds, which are edible, contain 30-54% oil, which is used as a lubricant
• The bark is used as a source of red dye
• The roots are used medicinally^[1]

[edit] Synonymy

The genus Bischofia is also known as:

• Microelus Wight & Arn.
• Stylodiscus Benn.

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b} Hao Zheng, Yun Wu, Jianqing Ding, Denise Binion, Weidong Fu and Richard Reardon (September 2004). "Bischofia javanica (Bishop wood)", Invasive Plants of Asian Origin Established in the US and Their Natural Enemies. USDA Forest Service, 34-35. Retrieved on 2006-11-17. 
2. ^ Li Bingtao (1994). "Bischofia Bl.". Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae 44 (1): 184–188. Science Press. Beijing, China.