Elaeocarpus

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Elaeocarpus
Blue Marble Tree (Elaeocarpus angustifolius) leaf and fruits.This plant is often known by its obsolete name E. grandis.
Blue Marble Tree (Elaeocarpus angustifolius) leaf and fruits.
This plant is often known by its obsolete name E. grandis.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Rosidae
(unranked) Eurosids I
Order: Oxalidales
Family: Elaeocarpaceae
Genus: Elaeocarpus
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 at least on a local scale for their attractive, pearl-like fruit which are often colorful. Elaeocarpus ganitrus, the Rudraksha Tree, produces fruit known as rudraksha which are traditionally considered sacred in Hinduism.

Several species, mainly from India, are threatened due to deforestation.

[edit] Selected species

A rudraksha (Elaeocarpus ganitrus seed) pendant
A rudraksha (Elaeocarpus ganitrus seed) pendant

[edit] References

  • Coode, M J E (2001). "Elaeocarpus in New Guinea - new taxa in the Debruynii subgroup of the Monocera group. Contributions to the Flora of Mt Jaya, V". Kew Bulletin, Kew, United Kingdom.
  • Red Data Book of Indian Plants. Botanical Survey of India.
  • Zmarzty, Sue (2001). "Revision of Elaeocarpus (Elaeocarpaceae) section Elaeocarpus in southern India and Sri Lanka" Kew Bulletin, Kew, United Kingdom.