Scutia myrtina

Scutia myrtina is a species of plant in the family Rhamnaceae. It is commonly known as cat-thorn.[2]

Scutia myrtina
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rhamnaceae
Genus: Scutia
Species:
S. myrtina
Binomial name
Scutia myrtina

Description

Scutia myrtina is a variable plant that may grow as a shrub or tree of 2-10 m tall with trunk diameter to 30 cm or often a scandent liane, climbing by means of thorns. Older bark is dark, corky and longitudinally fissured. Younger growth is hairy and branchlets green and angular.[3] The thorns are sharp, recurved and paired at the nodes, but sometimes absent.[4] The common name, cat-thorn, refers to the thorns that look like a cat's claw.

Leaves are ovate to obovate in shape, often notched at the apex, but always with mucronulate tip, opposite with usually entire margin, sometimes wavy.[4]

The fruit is a berry with black skin and white flesh containing two to three seeds.[4]

Distribution

The plant is found in Asia and Africa.[3]

Conservation

Scutia myrtina has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List (as at 2018-05-07), but is listed as least concern in the Red List of South African Plants.[5]

Uses

Several species in the genus Scutia have been used in traditional medicine, such as the Ayurvedic system from India.[6][7]

References
  1. Ye, J.; Qin, h. (2019). "Scutia myrtina". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T147483138A147651000. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T147483138A147651000.en. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  2. "Flora of Mozambique". Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  3. "African Plant Database". Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  4. "Plants of the World". Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  5. "Red List of South African Plants". SANBI. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  6. Lorraine (2011-04-07). "Scutia myrtina". Kumbula Indigenous Nursery. Retrieved 2017-08-04.
  7. "Scutia myrtina (Burm. f.) Kurz". India Biodiversity Portal. Retrieved 2017-08-04.
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