Pemphis is a genus of maritime in family Lythraceae. It has only one species described in 1775, Pemphis acidula.[
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Pemphis are highly adaptive. Depending on environmental factors, they are densely branched, or low and spreading Shrub or short , with main stems that can be furcated and lie nearly prone, or develop into one erect trunk. Leaves can be small, fleshy and succulent, or larger, flat and not fleshy. All surfaces are covered generally in silky, colorless trichomes.[ The and bee-pollination are produced throughout the year. can float, and are sometimes propagated through water dispersal.][
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Habitat
Most Pemphis live either at the verges of , well away from the forest-ocean interface; or they colonize behind the intertidal zone, taking hold on rocks, gravel or sand, laterite or limestone, and frequently on promontories or crags.[
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Range and distribution
They are not common, but far ranging from coastal, eastern Africa (including the Seychelles,[ and the Zanzibar Archipelago][), Country with Indian Ocean , to the Pacific Ocean (Philippines,][ Cook Islands][), northwards up to Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands][ Other places reporting Pemphis include mainland coastal Tanzania, Thailand, Malaysia (Johore), Singapore, Indonesia (Papua, Sumatra, the Moluccas, Madura and Java), Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong and throughout tropical Australia. On Java in particular (where it is known as stigi or santigi), some areas are uncharacteristically abundant.][
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Uses
Despite the difficulty presented for the prospective wood carving, wood from Pemphis species is highly prized for its extreme heaviness, toughness and resistance to wood warping. It is usually fashioned into walking canes, fence posts, tool handles, and even , exhibiting a fine wood finishing.[
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Pemphis acidula is a valuable tropical species for bonsai, particularly in Asia.[
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Species
This list is according to World Flora Online.
Former species include:
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Pemphis hexandra Mart. ex Koehne = Diplusodon hexander
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Pemphis madagascariensis (Baker) Koehne = Koehneria madagascariensis
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Pemphis stachydifolia Mart. ex Koehne = Diplusodon villosissimus
See also
