Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 2, 2026

Cratoxylum

Cratoxylum is a genus of flowering plants in the family Hypericaceae, native to tropical Asia. The generic name means "strong wood", referring to the timber.

Last revised
Jun 2, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
226 w
Citations
6
Source
Cratoxylum
Cratoxylum sumatranum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Hypericaceae
Tribe: Cratoxyleae
Genus: Cratoxylum
Blume1
Species

See text

Synonyms1
  • Ancistrolobus Spach
  • Elodea J.St.-Hil.
  • Tridesmis Spach

Cratoxylum (or Cratoxylon Blume, an orthographic variant) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Hypericaceae, native to tropical Asia. The generic name means "strong wood", referring to the timber.2

Description

Cratoxylum species grow as shrubs or small to medium-sized trees. The bark, drying black, produces a yellow resinous sap. The flowers are white or pink to crimson. The ellipsoid fruits consist of three valves.2

Distribution and habitat

Cratoxylum species grow naturally from India through southern China to Malesia.2

Species

As of December 2023, Plants of the World Online recognises seven species:1

References

References

  1. "Cratoxylum". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  2. Wong, K. M. (1995). "Cratoxylum Blume". In Soepadmo, E.; Wong, K. M. (eds.). Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak. (free online from the publisher, lesser resolution scan PDF versions). Vol. 1. Forest Research Institute Malaysia. pp. 220–226. ISBN 983-9592-34-3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2014.