Distribution and habitat
Pemphis acidula is a halophyte bush found in coastal locations in the tropical areas of the Indo-Pacific.
It is one of the types of shrubs growing in sandy and calcareous soils of the littoral zones of the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean. It is also found in mangroves.[4]
Uses
The wood of this species has been traditionally valued in many cultures for it is hard and heavy, as well as resistant to rot and warping. It also has naturally a fine finish and may be fashioned into walking canes, fence posts, tool handles, and even anchors.[5] In Réunion and Mauritius it is known as bois matelot[2] In the Maldives this hardy wood was used in traditional shipbuilding to hold the planks of the hull together, as well as to fashion "nails" in local sorcery.[3]
Pemphis acidula is also one of the plant species used in bonsai, particularly in Asia.[8]Leaves, flowers and fruits
See also
References
1. ^IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
2. ^xycol.net Pemphis acidula J.R. Forst., 1775 - Nom pilote : miki miki
3. ^Xavier Romero-Frias, The Maldive Islanders, A Study of the Popular Culture of an Ancient Ocean Kingdom. NEI (1999), {{ISBN|84-7254-801-5}}
4. ^1 Char. Gen. Pl. 34. 1775 {{cite web |url=http://www.ipni.org:80/ipni/idPlantNameSearch.do?id=554064-1 |title=Plant Name Details for Pemphis acidula |work=IPNI |accessdate=November 21, 2009}}
5. ^1 {{cite journal |title=Pemphis acidula — A Tropical Classic |author=Cheng Cheng-Kung |journal=Bonsai Societies of Florida Magazine |year=2007 |volume=XXXVIII; No. 4 |issue= 152 (Winter edition) |publisher=Bonsai Societies of Florida (BSF) |location=Cooper City, Florida |url=http://www.bonsai-bsf.com/magazine/BSF_Magazine_07_Issue4.pdf}}
6. ^1 {{cite journal |journal=Atoll Research Bulletin |title=Notes on Some of the Seychelles Islands, Indian Ocean |author=Piggott, C.J. |year=1961 |volume=83 |pages=1–10 |url=http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/ARB/076-84/83.pdf |accessdate= |doi=10.5479/si.00775630.83.1 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060913131714/http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/duffy/ARB/076-84/83.pdf |archivedate=2006-09-13 |df= }}
7. ^1 {{cite book |title=Mangrove Guidebook for Southeast Asia |author=Wim Giesen |author2=Stephan Wulffraat |author3=Max Zieren |author4=Liesbeth Scholten |chapter=Part 2: Description - Trees & shrubs |publisher=FAO, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific; Wetlands International |year=2006 |ISBN=974-7946-85-8 |location=Bangkok, Thailand |url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/ag132e/ag132e00.htm |accessdate=November 21, 2009}}