Aphananthe aspera, commonly known as scabrous aphananthe[2] or muku tree,[1] is a flowering plant in the family Cannabaceae. It is found on slopes and stream banks between 100 and 1600 m. It is native to China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.[3]
Aphananthe aspera | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Rosales |
Family: | Cannabaceae |
Genus: | Aphananthe |
Species: | A. aspera |
Binomial name | |
Aphananthe aspera | |
Synonyms[1] | |
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It is used as an ornamental plant in Chinese classical gardens. Aphananthe aspera is a source of fibre and wood, and has been used for making paper. Leaves gathered in autumn are used as a fine sandpaper for polishing wood and similar materials.[4][5][6] It is not clear from the sources referred to, whether the effectiveness of the leaves as sandpaper depends on their roughness, or whether they contain abrasive phytoliths.
The polishing of rough surfaces appears to be effected by the rough leaves of Aphananthe aspera and the stems of a species of Equisetum.
Media related to Aphananthe aspera at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Aphananthe aspera at Wikispecies
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