Desmos chinensis

Desmos chinensis
Desmos chinensis; detail of the flower
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Magnoliales
Family:	Annonaceae
Genus:	Desmos
Species:	Desmos chinensis
Binomial name
Desmos chinensis Lour.

Desmos chinensis growing as a shade tree in Bangkok; note the blue metal support

Desmos chinensis is a flowering plant of the custard-apple family, Annonaceae.

It is a vine or spreading shrub that may grow up to 4 m high if it finds an adequate support, otherwise it rarely grows taller than 150 cm.^[1] The yellowish-green flowers are similar to the Ylang-ylang flowers, therefore this plant is sometimes known as Dwarf Ylang-ylang.^[2] Their smell, however, is much less strong and is only felt in the morning. By midday it has mostly faded away.

Desmos chinensis is found throughout Southeast Asia from Nepal to the Philippines. It grows at the edge of forests in flat areas up to a height of 600 m. It may grow as a ruderal plant on the margin of roads and rural causeways, as well as in disturbed terrain. It prefers slightly shady places.

This plant is characteristic of the Bangkok urban landscape. Supported by a metal framework, Desmos chinensis is used in Bangkok city to make shades along the sidewalks of the main streets and for bus stops. The advantages of Desmos chinensis are that its dense leaf growth gives a cool shade and the fact that its relatively thin trunk and root system don't break the sidewalk pavement.

Names

• Malay: Akar pisang-pisang, kenanga hutan, akar darah.
• Tagalog: Ilang-ilang gubat.
• Thai: Saaiyut สายหยุด (Central & Peninsular), Kluai khruea (Saraburi), khruea khao klaep (Loei).
• Vietnamese: hoo gi[er] th[ow]m, n[oos]i c[oo]i.

References

1. ^ Desmos chinensis
2. ^ Desmos chinensis; Dwarf Ylang Ylang Shrub

External links

• Plants of the Malay Peninsula - Desmos chinensis Lour.
• Butterflycircle - Desmos chinensis, Dwarf Ylang Ylang