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Edgeworthia gardneri

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Edgeworthia gardneri
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Thymelaeaceae
Genus: Edgeworthia
Species:
E. gardneri
Binomial name
Edgeworthia gardneri
Synonyms[1][2]

Edgeworthia gardneri (common names: Indian papertree,[2] Nepalese paperbush;[2] Nepali: लोकता, लोक्ता, अर्गेली (Argelee, argeli))[3] is a plant in the Thymelaeaceae family. It is a small evergreen shrub growing up to 3–4 metres (10–13 ft) tall.[4] It can be distinguished by its brownish red stem. The flowers are hermaphrodite (they have both male and female organs).

Range and habitat

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Edgeworthia gardneri is native to the Himalayan regions of Bhutan; northern Burma; China (in eastern Xizang and northwestern Yunnan provinces); India; and Nepal.[2] It is found in forests and moist places at altitudes of 1,000–2,500 m (3,300–8,200 ft).[4]

It is cultivated elsewhere.[2]

Uses

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E. gardneri branches and leaves

Edgeworthia gardneri is planted as an ornamental; and a high quality paper is made from its bark fibres.[2] This species is said to be the best of the various species that are used to make hand-made paper in the Himalayas.[citation needed]

As of 2024, Nepal, in particular the Ilam District, was exporting several tens of tonnes per year of the bark to Japan for the printing of Japanese yen banknotes as an alternative to the native Japanese mitsumata, another species in the same genus.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b Edgeworthia gardneri was originally described and published under its basionym (Daphne gardneri) in Asiatic Researches 13: 388, pl. [s.n.]. 1820.; under its currently accepted name (Edgeworthia gardneri), it was first published in Denkschriften der Koeniglich-Baierischen Botanischen Gesellschaft in Regensburg 3: 280–282, pl. 6. 1841. "Daphne gardneri". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Edgeworthia gardneri". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
  3. ^ Baral, Sushim Ranjan; Kurmi, Puran Prasad (2006). A Compendium of Medicinal Plants in Nepal (First ed.). Chhauni, Kathmandu, Nepal: Mass Printing Press. p. 429. ISBN 99946-2027-4.
  4. ^ a b "Edgeworthia gardneri - Nepalese Paper Bush". Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  5. ^ "On Himalayan Hillsides Grows Japan's Cold, Hard Cash".
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