Meliosma rigida is often treated as a subspecies of Meliosma simplicifolia (Roxb.) Walp.(as Meliosma simplicifolia rigida (Siebold & Zucc.) Beusekom). However, we are following the treatment in the Flora of China[] which treats it as a distinct species.

Common Name:

General Information

Meliosma rigida is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 7 metres tall[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for used as a source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southern China, southern Japan, Laos, southern Vietnam, Philippines

Habitat

Broad-leaved forests, mountain forests; at elevations up to 3,000 metres[, ].

Properties

Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	5.00 m
Pollinators	Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Meliosma rigida is native to subtropical and tropical regions, from sea level to elevations of up to 3,000 metres. It is not a very cold-hardy plant, tolerating short-lived temperatures down to around -5°c when dormant, but usually succeeds outdoors in the milder regions of the temperate zone[]
Found in the wild on a range of different soils, in dry as well as wet places[].
The pollen ripens and the anther-cells burst while the flower is still in bud, but the pollen is still unable to escape from the anther-cells as these are locked in the cavities of the staminodes. When the bud is fully mature, it explodes at the slightest touch, the stamens snapping backwards and flinging a puff of pollen into the air. When the flower is open, petals and stamens, having done their duty, very soon drop off; hence in a Meliosma panicle almost only buds and passed flowers are found, but very few intact open flowers[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

An oil is obtained from the seed[].

The hard wood is used to make walking sticks, umbrella handles, carrying poles, frames for sieves etc[, ].
Some reports say that the wood is used for fuel, whilst others say that it is not a good fuel[].

Propagation

Seed -