Trema micrantha
Mus. Bot. 2: 58. 1856.
Shrubs to small trees, 2-5.5 (-10) m. Bark dark-brown, smooth when young, developing small, warty projections in maturity. Branchlets copiously pubescent. Leaf-blade ovate to narrowly ovate, 5-6.5 (-9) × 2.5-4 (-4.5) cm, base oblique to cordate, margins evenly serrate, apex acute to long-acuminate; abaxial surface softly, velvety white-pubescent; venation conspicuous but scarcely raised. Flowers: calyx greenish white. Fruits bright red-orange to yellow, 1.5-3.5 mm diam. 2n = 20 (from Costa Rica).
Phenology: Flowering most of year (Mar–Nov).
Habitat: Hammocks and prairies, often weedy along roadsides, in burned areas, and on calcareous ground
Elevation: 0-100 m
Distribution
Fla., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America
Discussion
Trema micrantha, as interpreted here, is widespread in tropical regions of the New World. Small-leaved populations may be confused with T. lamarckiana.
The soft wood of Trema micrantha is suitable for the construction of tea chests and match sticks.
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
"thick" is not a number.