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Sycopsis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sycopsis
Sycopsis sinensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Hamamelidaceae
Subfamily: Hamamelidoideae
Tribe: Fothergilleae
Genus: Sycopsis
Oliv.

Sycopsis is a genus of plants in the family Hamamelidaceae. It includes three species native to central and southern China,[1][2] Assam, and Taiwan.[3]

Characteristics

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Sycopsis are evergreen[1][2] or semi-evergreen[2] shrubs or small trees. Their leaves are leathery and their flowers have no petals.[1][2]

Species

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Three species are accepted.[3]

Etymology and naming

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Sycopsis is derived from Greek and means ‘fig-resembler’ because the person who named the genus, Daniel Oliver, thought its appearance resembled a shrubby Ficus.[4]

The Chinese vernacular name for this genus is 水丝梨属 (Shuǐ sī lí shǔ).[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Zhang, Zhi-Yun; Zhang, Hongda; Endress, Peter K. "Sycopsis". Flora of China. Vol. 9 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
  2. ^ a b c d "Sycopsis sinensis". Chinese sycopsis Shrubs/RHS Gardening. 2022-03-27.
  3. ^ a b "Sycopsis Oliv". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  4. ^ Gledhill, David (2008). The Names of Plants. Cambridge University Press. p. 368. ISBN 9780521866453.