|
The large flowering plant genus ''Grewia'' is today placed by most authors in the mallow family Malvaceae, in the expanded sense as proposed by in the APG. Formerly, it was placed in either the linden family (Tiliaceae) or the Sparrmanniaceae. However, these were both not monophyletic with respect to other Malvales - as already indicated by the uncertainties surrounding placement of ''Grewia'' and similar genera - and have thus been merged into the Malvaceae. Together with the bulk of the former Sparrmanniaceae, ''Grewia'' is in the subfamily Grewioideae and therein the tribe Grewieae, of which it is the type genus.〔Heywood ''et al.'' (2007)〕 The genus was named by Carolus Linnaeus, in honor of the botanist Nehemiah Grew (1641-1712) from England. Grew was one of the leading plant anatomists and microscope researchers of his time, and his study of pollen laid the groundwork for modern-day palynology. ==Ecology and uses== Several Lepidoptera caterpillars are found to feed on ''Grewia'' species. These include the Common Nawab (''Polyura athamas'') and the swift moth ''Endoclita malabaricus''. The Bucculatricidae leaf miner ''Bucculatrix epibathra'' is apparently only found on ''G. tiliaefolia''. The parasitic wasp ''Aprostocetus psyllidis'' of the Eulophidae occurs on and around Phalsa (''G. asiatica''). Its larvae are parasitoids of other insects - possibly pests of the plant, but this is not known for sure. Several species, namely Phalsa, are known for their edible fruit, which are of local commercial importance. The astringent and refreshing ''Grewia'' drupes are particularly popular in summertime. Folk medicine makes use of some species, which are reputed to cure upset stomachs and some skin and intestinal infections, and seem to have mild antibiotic properties. ''G. mollis'' is reputed to contain β-carboline alkaloids,〔Brown (2001)〕 though whether such compounds occur in other species too and whether they are produced in quantities to render the plants psychoactive has not been thoroughly studied. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「Grewia」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|