Agathis alba

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Amboina Pitch Tree
• Amboina-pine
• East Indian kauri
• dammar
• dammar-pine

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pinus dammara
• Agathis beccarii
• Agathis beckingii
• Agathis borneensis
• Agathis endertii
• Agathis macrostachys
• Agathis rhomboidalis
• Agathis latifolia
• Abies dammara

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Pinidae, it is classified under the order Pinales. Finally, it is a member of the family Araucariaceae and falls under the genus Agathis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed throughout the tropical regions of Malesia. Specifically, its presence is well-documented across the large island of Borneo. It also flourishes within the geographical boundaries of Malaya. Furthermore, the species can be found growing in the lush landscapes of Sumatera. These distinct locations highlight its specialized ecological range within Southeast Asia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Agathis dammara is characterized by its status as a perennial species, ensuring its long-term presence within its native ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated structures, specifically functioning as a phanerophyte through its significant vertical growth habit. It exhibits an evergreen deciduousness pattern, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Agathis dammara is characterized by its significant stature and robust structure, functioning as a large, woody tree that can reach a mean height of approximately 50 m. As a self-supporting organism, it does not exhibit climbing or liana-like behaviors, nor does it function as a vine; instead, it maintains a sturdy, independent growth form. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking any aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies, such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte. Furthermore, it is an independent species that does not act as a parasite, relying on its own established woody framework for support and development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

50 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Agathis dammara is characterized by a specialized metabolic framework typical of many coniferous species. It utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a process in which carbon dioxide is fixed directly into a three-carbon compound during the initial stage of the Calvin cycle, making it highly efficient in stable, moist environments but sensitive to photorespiration under high-temperature stress. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system to sustain its growth and development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Agathis dammara is characterized by an abiotic pollination syndrome, with wind serving as the primary mechanism for pollen transfer. This reliance on wind-driven pollination is a key aspect of its reproductive strategy. The resulting seeds are relatively small and exhibit specific mass variations, with a recorded minimum seed mass of 0.109 g and a maximum seed mass of 0.13514 g. On average, the seed mass for this species is approximately 0.12207 g, reflecting a consistent size distribution within its reproductive output.

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Seed mass max:

0.13514 g

Seed mass mean:

0.12207 g

Seed mass min:

0.109 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Agathis dammara has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Tropical biomedicine

Chemicals

Agathis dammara has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Araucarone.

Araucarone

1. Cardiovascular drugs and therapy

Activities

Agathis dammara has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Cardiovascular drugs and therapy

Conditions

Agathis dammara has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm

1. Cardiovascular drugs and therapy

Preparations

Agathis dammara has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves extract.

Leaves extract

1. Tropical biomedicine