Ming Tree

Title

Ming Tree

Authors

Ethan H. Freid

Scientific Name

Bucida spinosa Jenn.

Description

Common Names

Ming Tree, Brier-tree, Prickly tree, Spiny Black Olive

Combretaceae

Bucida spinosa grows as a shrub or small tree up to 8 meters in height with a trunk to 20 cm in diameter. The branches divaricate creating a horizontally flattened, zigzag branching system. Spines occur below leaf attachments. The glabrous leaves are sessile, oblanceolate, to 3 cm in length with and entire margin and obtuse leaf apex.

The actinomorphic flowers are arranged in short spikes. The calyx has 5 fused greenish sepals. There is no corolla. There are 8 or 9 unfused stamens in 2 series. The ovary is inferior with a single locule and seed becoming a drupe at maturity.

Bucida spinosa grows primarily in wet, coastal Dry Broadleaf evergreen Formation- Woodlands and Shrublands (coppice and wet savannahs).

Bucida spinosa occurs on Andros, New Providence Abaco, Grand Bahama and Eleuthera as well as the Florida Keys, Cuba, and Mexico.

Bucida spinosa is used in the horticultural industry for its unique branching pattern as well as for creating bonsai’s.

Bucida spinosa has no known medicinal uses in the Bahamian Archipelago.