Rhamnaceae · Scutia

Chimat / Cat Thorn

Scutia myrtina

Climbing shrub
Habit
Climbing shrub
Found in India
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka & more
Flowering
February-November

Plant Details

Scientific name
Scutia myrtina
Genus
Scutia
Habitat
On plains and in scrub jungles
Habitat type
Scrub
Distribution
India, Africa, Madagascar, India, Seychelles, Mascarene Islands, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Mauritius
Found in India
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal
Flowering & fruiting
February-November
Conservation status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Leaf characters

Leaf arrangement
OppositerecordedTwo leaves arise from the stem at the same point, facing each other.Leaves are ovate to obovate, often notched at the apex, but always with mucronulate tip, opposite with usually entire margin, sometimes wavy. — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Leaf shape
ObovaterecordedEgg-shaped but broader near the tip rather than the base.Leaves are ovate to obovate, often notched at the apex, but always with mucronulate tip, opposite with usually entire margin, sometimes wavy. — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Leaf margin
UndulaterecordedA wavy, rippled edge.Leaves are ovate to obovate, often notched at the apex, but always with mucronulate tip, opposite with usually entire margin, sometimes wavy. — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Characters marked “recorded” are for Chimat itself; the rest are typical of the Rhamnaceae family.

Flower & fruit characters

Fruit type
BerryrecordedA fleshy fruit with seeds embedded directly in the pulp, no central stone.The fruit is a berry with black skin and white flesh containing two to three seeds. — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Typical of the family

Fruit
Drupe

Characters marked “recorded” are for Chimat itself; the rest are typical of the Rhamnaceae family — flowering plants only.

Local Names

Tamil
கொக்கிமுள்ளு Kokkimullu, பின்றொடரி Pinrotari, சுடலி Sudali
Kannada
ಕುರುಡಿ Kurudi
Malayalam
കൊക്കിമുള്ള് Kokkimullu
Marathi
चिमट Chimat, मसारी Masari

About Chimat

A member of the Rhamnaceae family, Cat Thorn (Scutia myrtina) is a climbing shrub. In India it has been recorded in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and 3 other states. It grows in on plains and in scrub jungles. Flowering and fruiting run from February to November.

Illustration representing the Rhamnaceae family
Botanical family

Rhamnaceae

Buckthorn Family

Chimat belongs to the Rhamnaceae family.

The illustration represents the family — not necessarily this exact species.

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Common plant problems

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