Clappertonia ficifolia (Willd.) Decne., Deless. Ic. Select. Pl. v. 1. t. 1. (1846)
Latin for 'leaves like those of Ficus', referring to the similarity in leaf shape with some species of the genus Ficus.Synonyms
Honckenya ficifolia Willd.
Description
Shrub up to 5 m tall and 6 cm dbh. Stipules triangular, ca. 6 mm long.
Leaves alternate, simple, usually five-lobed, palmately-veined, hairy. Flowers
ca. 54 mm diameter, white-bluish, placed solitary. Fruits ca. 39 mm long,
green-pinkish-black, spiny capsule.
Ecology
Introduced in tropical Asia, and usually growing in secondary vegetation
types or planted near or in villages.
Uses
The plant is used to produce fibers.
Distribution
Originally in tropical Africa, but introduced in tropical Asia and the
Pacific. In Borneo collected in Sarawak and East-Kalimantan.
