Fagraea ceilanica (Fagraea ceilanica)
Description
Fagraea ceilanica is a species of small tree in the gentian family growing to heights of up to 10 metres. Typical habitat is seasonal tropical forest, but it is also grown as an ornamental tree in many places in India, Indo-China and Malesia. It has been described as "epiphytic" or a "strangler" when young, implying that it partially relies on the support of surrounding tree trunks within the forest structure. Leaves are fleshy, shiny and typically lanceolate, 100-180 x 50–80 mm, with a petiole to 25 mm long. The inflorescence is terminal or axillary, few-flowered (see illustration). Flowers are 60–80 mm cream/white typically in March–August. The calyx is 5-lobed each approx. 8 mm long. The funnel-shaped corolla is 40–50 mm long with five broad lobes, twisted to right, and 5 adnate stamens are attached to base. A capitate stigma is attached to the ovary, which is 2-celled and containing many ovules in each. Fruiting is typically in August–November; structurally they are shiny berries (see illustration): 20-40 x 15–30 mm and containing many seeds.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum:
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Class: Magnoliopsida
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Order: Gentianales
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Family: Gentianaceae
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Genus: Fagraea
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