Wikstroemia ovata C.A.Mey.

Shrub up to 5 m by 7-8 cm. Young branchlets appressed-hirtellous, glabrescent or glabrous. Leaves membranous or papery, glabrous, rarely sparsely pubescent on the midrib beneath; ovate to ovate-oblong, 4-14 by 3.5-5 cm; base usually obtuse or cuneate, rarely subcordate; apex acuminate; nerves 8-12 pairs, curved and ascending, slightly elevated below, distinct above; veins reticulate, distinct beneath, visible or obscure above, petiole 3 mm, sparsely appressed-hirtellous. Inflorescences terminal, short-spicate or umbelliform, peduncled, sparsely puberulous, sometimes with 1 or 2 caducous bracts, 7-20-flowered. Flowers 1.25-2 cm long, greenish, yellowish, at the upper end of the peduncle, short-pedicelled. Floral tube cylindric, sparsely puberulous outside. Calyx lobes oblong, obtuse, 2-4 mm long. Stamens sessile or on short filaments; anthers 1-1.5 mm, slightly apiculate. Disk 2 free, oblong, scales. Ovary ellipsoid, 2-3 mm long, hairy at the apex; style distinct, filiform, 0.75-1.25 mm; stigma capitate. Fruits subglobose to slightly ellipsoid, 8-10 by 6-8 mm.

In thickets, primary and secondary forests at low and medium altitudes up to 800 m.

Uses. This plant has been used by the Filipinos as a purgative. The leaves are a strong purgative when chewed and swallowed and one bowel movement is produced for every taken. The fresh bark or branches of this plant are tied round about the neck of a patient to relieve bronchial catarrh (cf. GARCIA Philip. J. Sc. 51 1933 485-494 Quis. Med. Pl. Philip. 1951 637 ).

Can be grown by seedlings.