Uvaria dulcis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Uvaria dulcis |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Genus: | Magnoliophyta |
| Genus: | Magnoliopsida |
| Genus: | Magnoliales |
| Genus: | Annonaceae |
| Genus: | Uvaria |
| Species: |
U. dulcis
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| Binomial name | |
| Uvaria dulcis Dunal
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Uvaria dulcis is a type of woody climbing plant. It belongs to the Annonaceae family, which includes many tropical trees and shrubs. You can find this plant in tropical parts of Asia. It grows in places like eastern Indonesia, Jawa, and also in Mainland Southeast Asia.
This plant is known for its tasty fruit. In the Khmer language, people call it triël dâhs krabéi. This fun name means "triel of the buffalo udders" because of the fruit's shape!
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About Its Name
The scientific name of a plant helps scientists around the world know exactly which plant they are talking about. Uvaria dulcis has had a few different names over time.
A French botanist named Michel Félix Dunal first gave this plant its name in 1817. A botanist is a scientist who studies plants. Dunal worked as a professor at the University of Montpellier for 40 years. He wrote a book about the Annonaceae family, where he described this plant.
Later, in 1858, another botanist named Heinrich Zollinger called it Anomianthus heterocarpus. He worked in Jawa, where he also passed away.
Then, in 1958, a Scottish botanist named James Sinclair realized that the name dulcis given by Dunal was older. So, the plant's name changed to Anomianthus dulcis.
Finally, in 2009, scientists studied the plant's DNA. They found that the group of plants called Anomianthus was actually part of the Uvaria group. Because of this, the plant's name went back to Uvaria dulcis.
What Does It Look Like?
Uvaria dulcis is a woody climber, which means it's like a vine with a strong, wood-like stem. It can grow very long, sometimes up to 30 meters (about 98 feet)!
Its leaves are usually oval-shaped. They can be wide or narrow, with a rounded or slightly heart-shaped base and a pointed tip.
The flowers of Uvaria dulcis are yellowish-green and have a nice smell. The fruits are yellow and turn red as they ripen. The petals of the flowers are narrow, and the inner petals have special glands that produce nectar.
Where Does It Grow?
This plant grows in specific areas of Asia. It's found in two main regions that are quite far apart.
You can find Uvaria dulcis in:
- Indonesia (in places like Nusa Tenggara, Maluku Islands, and Jawa)
- Thailand
- Cambodia
- Vietnam
- Laos
- Myanmar
Its Home and Neighbors
Uvaria dulcis often grows in areas with scrubby plants. But it's most common in moist forests that have been disturbed, like by logging or storms. In these places, it can grow in large groups. It also likes areas with less rainfall, such as central Jawa and northeastern Thailand.
In the Khao Khiao–Khao Chomphu Wildlife Sanctuary in Thailand, Uvaria dulcis is one of the vines that grow in the lowland evergreen forest. This forest has tall trees like Dipterocarpus alatus and Ficus annulata.
Fun Names for the Plant
This plant has some interesting local names:
- nom maew son (in Thai language)
- triël dâhs krabéi (in Khmer language), which means "triel of the buffalo udders." This name comes from the fruit's shape, which looks like a buffalo's udder.
How People Use It
The fruit of Uvaria dulcis is quite popular. People in Cambodia enjoy eating it as a snack. You can often find these fruits for sale in markets during March and April.
In traditional Thai medicine, people use a special tea made from this plant. They believe it can help reduce fever and also help mothers produce more milk.
