Aglaia lawii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Nimmoia lawii
• Amoora lawii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Aglaia lawii, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Sapindales. Finally, it is a member of the Meliaceae family within the genus Aglaia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range across several key regions of East Asia. Within mainland China, its distribution spans from the South-Central provinces to the Southeast. It can also be found in the specific tropical environment of Hainan island. Furthermore, the species extends its reach into the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Finally, its presence is noted in the island territory of Taiwan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aglaia lawii is characterized by its specific preference for montane environments, where it thrives within a distinct altitudinal niche. This species is primarily distributed across mid-to-high elevation zones, occupying a specialized ecological belt that begins at a minimum elevation of 900 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum elevation of 1500 m AMSL. Within this specific elevational range, the plant is adapted to the unique climatic conditions, soil compositions, and moisture levels typical of these montane habitats, which play a critical role in its growth, distribution, and survival within its native ecosystem.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

900 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Aglaia lawii is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its natural habitat through multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived species, it does not rely on the rapid turnover seen in annuals or biennials, but instead establishes a stable presence within its ecosystem. This perennial nature enables the plant to invest significant energy into structural development and long-term survival, facilitating consistent reproductive efforts over an extended lifespan.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aglaias lawii is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, standing as a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. It is a terrestrial species that exists independently, neither functioning as a parasite nor as an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a maximum height of 15 meters, with a mean plant height recorded at approximately 25 meters, depending on environmental conditions and developmental stage.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Aglaia lawii is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme Rubisco during the Calvin cycle. As a plant utilizing this specific metabolic route, it relies on stomatal conductance to manage gas exchange, balancing the intake of CO2 with the transpiration of water vapor. Furthermore, this species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; instead, it must rely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium present in the soil substrate to meet its nitrogenous nutritional requirements for protein synthesis and cellular function.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Aglaia lawii is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily mediated by insects, which facilitates the fertilization process. This species exhibits an absence of self-fertilization, suggesting a reliance on cross-pollination to maintain genetic diversity. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces fleshy fruits, categorized under the "other" fruit type designation. The dispersal of the plant is zoochorous, meaning it relies on animals for the distribution of its offspring. The resulting seeds are relatively large and consistent in size, with a recorded mean, minimum, and maximum seed volume of 2000 mm³.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit type :

other

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed volume max:

2000 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Aglaia lawii has 1 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Phytochemistry
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Chemistry & biodiversity

Chemicals

Aglaia lawii has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (E)-Aglawone, Azedaralide, cabraleadiol monoacetate, triterpene.

(E)-Aglawone

1. Phytochemistry

Azedaralide

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

cabraleadiol monoacetate

1. Phytochemistry

triterpene

1. Phytochemistry

Activities

Aglaia lawii has 2 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Cytotoxic.

Antibacterial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cytotoxic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Aglaia lawii has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Ralstonia solanacearum.

Most Reported Uses