- Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea
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Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea 
Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Gentianales Family: Rubiaceae Genus: Scyphiphora Species: S. hydrophyllacea Binomial name Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea (common names: nilad in Tagalog; nila in Malay; chengam in Singapore) is a shrub that is about 3 m (10 ft) tall. It is often found in mangrove forests or sandy beaches.
Contents
Description
Its leaves are opposite. The leaf blades are broad and drop-shaped. Its terminal buds and young leaves are coated with a varnish-like substance. The flowers are tubular and have four white lobes that are tinged in pink. They are arranged in dense clusters.
The fruits are elliptic and deeply ridged, becoming light brown and buoyant when ripe.
In Culture
Its dark brown wood can be used to craft small objects. Leaf extracts are known to be helpful for stomach aches.[citation needed] The flowers can be used as a cleansing or whitening laundry agent.
Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, derives its name from the nila because the shores of Manila Bay were once teeming with this shrub. The place was called "Maynila", which is Tagalog for "There is nila". The shrub's name in turn was probably derived from the Sanskrit word "nila" (नील), which means "indigo tree."
References
- Mangroves and Community Aquaculture
- Primavera, J . H., 1995. Mangroves and brackishwater pond culture in the Philippines. Hydrobiologia 295 : 303-309.
- Mangrove flora: Chengam (Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea)
- What’s in Manila’s Name? White Star-Shaped Flowers
- Looking Back: Pre-Spanish Manila
External links
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