trema

Trema is a small genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae. The genus comprises several tropical and subtropical trees and shrubs, including Trema orientalis and Trema tomentosa. In modern classifications, such as APG IV, Trema is placed in Cannabaceae, whereas older systems sometimes treated it as part of Ulmaceae.

Description is variable by species, but Trema plants are generally small to medium-sized trees or shrubs. They typically have simple, alternate leaves with serrated margins. Flowers are small and inconspicuous, often arranged in loose panicles. Many Trema species exhibit dioecy or monoecy depending on the cultivar or locality. The fruit is a small drupe, often only a few millimeters in diameter, and is commonly dispersed by birds once ripe.

Distribution and habitat: Trema species are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, with some species extending into the Americas. They are frequently found in open forests, along riverbanks, and in disturbed or secondary habitats, where they can act as pioneer species that help stabilize soils and re-establish plant communities.

Uses and significance: In some regions, Trema wood is used for light construction, fuel, and charcoal. Leaves and fruits have traditional medicinal or ethnobotanical uses in local systems. Due to rapid growth and tolerance of poorer soils, Trema is sometimes employed in agroforestry or reforestation projects as a shade or shelter tree.

Taxonomy and species: The genus includes several species, with Trema orientalis being the most widely recognized and Trema tomentosa among others. Ongoing molecular and taxonomic studies continue to clarify relationships within Cannabaceae.