Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea (common names: nila in Filipino; chengam in Singapore) is a shrub that is about 3 m (10 ft) tall. It is often found in mangrove forests or sandy beaches. Its leaves are opposite. The leaf blades are broad and drop-shaped. Its terminal buds and young leaves are coated with a varnish-like substance. The flowers have four white lobes that are tinged in pink. They are arranged in dense clusters.
The fruits are elliptic and deeply ridged, becoming light brown and buoyant when ripe.
Its dark brown wood can be used to craft small objects. Leaf extracts are known to be helpful for stomach aches. The flowers can be used as a cleansing or whitening laundry agent.
Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, got its name from the nila because the shores of Manila Bay are teeming with this shrub. The place was called "Maynilad", which means "There is nila".
References
|
