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Useful Tropical Plants

Bikkia tetrandra

(L.f.) A.Rich.

Rubiaceae

+ Synonyms

Bikkia australis DC.

Bikkia comptonii S.Moore

Bikkia forsteriana Brongn.

Bikkia grandiflora Reinw. ex Blume

Bikkia hombroniana Brongn.

Bikkia mariannensis Brongn.

Bikkia tetrandra A.Gray

Bikkiopsis comptonii (S.Moore) Baum.-Bod.

Cormigonus mariannensis (Brongn.) W.Wight

Cormigonus tetrandus (L.f.) Kuntze

Hoffmannia amicorum Spreng.

Petesia carnosa Hook. & Arn.

Portlandia tetrandra L.f.

Common Name: Torchwood

Bikkia tetrandra
Flowering branches
Photograph by: Tau?olunga
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5

General Information

Torchwood is an attractive, evergreen shrub or small tree growing 1 - 3 metres tall[
490
Title
Flora Vitiensis Nova
Publication
 
Author
Smith. A.C.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden; Hawaii
Year
1979
ISBN
 
Description
A comprehensive flora of Fiji, often showing plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]..
The wood is gathered from the wild for use as torches and candles. The attractive flowers are used in garlands[
490
Title
Flora Vitiensis Nova
Publication
 
Author
Smith. A.C.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden; Hawaii
Year
1979
ISBN
 
Description
A comprehensive flora of Fiji, often showing plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

490
Title
Flora Vitiensis Nova
Publication
 
Author
Smith. A.C.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden; Hawaii
Year
1979
ISBN
 
Description
A comprehensive flora of Fiji, often showing plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.

Range

Pacific - New Guinea to the west Pacific.

Habitat

Most commonly found on exposed, limestone cliff faces and on limestone boulders near the sea on the Island of Guam[
354
Title
Plants of Guam
Publication
 
Author
Moore P.H. & McMakin P.
Website
http://university.uog.edu/cals/people/POG/scipn.htm
Publisher
University of Guam.
Year
1979
ISBN
 
Description
Brief details, usually with a photo, of plants native to the island of Guam, often together with some information on their uses. An online version is available.
].

Properties

Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Shrub
Height0.00 m
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details


Succeeds in pure limestone[
354
Title
Plants of Guam
Publication
 
Author
Moore P.H. & McMakin P.
Website
http://university.uog.edu/cals/people/POG/scipn.htm
Publisher
University of Guam.
Year
1979
ISBN
 
Description
Brief details, usually with a photo, of plants native to the island of Guam, often together with some information on their uses. An online version is available.
]. Growing on cliffs near the sea, this species should be tolerant of maritime exposure[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be grown as an informal hedge[
354
Title
Plants of Guam
Publication
 
Author
Moore P.H. & McMakin P.
Website
http://university.uog.edu/cals/people/POG/scipn.htm
Publisher
University of Guam.
Year
1979
ISBN
 
Description
Brief details, usually with a photo, of plants native to the island of Guam, often together with some information on their uses. An online version is available.
].

Other Uses

The wood ignites easily and is used for torches[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
459
Title
The Useful Plants of the Island of Guam
Publication
Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 9
Author
Safford W.E.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
Publisher
Smithsonian Institute; Washington.
Year
1905
ISBN
 
Description
A very comprehensive, if rather dated, guide to the plants of Guam. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. It can be cut into short sections and then used like a candle[
354
Title
Plants of Guam
Publication
 
Author
Moore P.H. & McMakin P.
Website
http://university.uog.edu/cals/people/POG/scipn.htm
Publisher
University of Guam.
Year
1979
ISBN
 
Description
Brief details, usually with a photo, of plants native to the island of Guam, often together with some information on their uses. An online version is available.
]. Branches are grouped together and used as torches[
354
Title
Plants of Guam
Publication
 
Author
Moore P.H. & McMakin P.
Website
http://university.uog.edu/cals/people/POG/scipn.htm
Publisher
University of Guam.
Year
1979
ISBN
 
Description
Brief details, usually with a photo, of plants native to the island of Guam, often together with some information on their uses. An online version is available.
].

Propagation

Seed - to germinate, fill a container, such as a 15cm pot, with crushed limestone. Spread a thin layer of moist, soilless potting mix or peat moss over the top of the crushed limestone. Sprinkle the seeds on top of the potting mix and do not cover with soil[
354
Title
Plants of Guam
Publication
 
Author
Moore P.H. & McMakin P.
Website
http://university.uog.edu/cals/people/POG/scipn.htm
Publisher
University of Guam.
Year
1979
ISBN
 
Description
Brief details, usually with a photo, of plants native to the island of Guam, often together with some information on their uses. An online version is available.
]. Keep the container in a shaded area and lightly mist with water every few days to prevent drying[
354
Title
Plants of Guam
Publication
 
Author
Moore P.H. & McMakin P.
Website
http://university.uog.edu/cals/people/POG/scipn.htm
Publisher
University of Guam.
Year
1979
ISBN
 
Description
Brief details, usually with a photo, of plants native to the island of Guam, often together with some information on their uses. An online version is available.
]. The seeds should germinate in about four weeks[
354
Title
Plants of Guam
Publication
 
Author
Moore P.H. & McMakin P.
Website
http://university.uog.edu/cals/people/POG/scipn.htm
Publisher
University of Guam.
Year
1979
ISBN
 
Description
Brief details, usually with a photo, of plants native to the island of Guam, often together with some information on their uses. An online version is available.
]. The germinating seedlings are tiny, with small opposite round leaves. The young plants are succulent with light green leaves. As the seedlings grow, they can be exposed to brighter light. When 8cm tall, the seedlings can be transplanted to individual pots[
354
Title
Plants of Guam
Publication
 
Author
Moore P.H. & McMakin P.
Website
http://university.uog.edu/cals/people/POG/scipn.htm
Publisher
University of Guam.
Year
1979
ISBN
 
Description
Brief details, usually with a photo, of plants native to the island of Guam, often together with some information on their uses. An online version is available.
]. Crushed
limestone can be used as a growing medium[
354
Title
Plants of Guam
Publication
 
Author
Moore P.H. & McMakin P.
Website
http://university.uog.edu/cals/people/POG/scipn.htm
Publisher
University of Guam.
Year
1979
ISBN
 
Description
Brief details, usually with a photo, of plants native to the island of Guam, often together with some information on their uses. An online version is available.
].
When collecting seed, select mature capsules that have not split open.
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-10-12. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Bikkia+tetrandra>

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