hard alstonia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• hard alstonia
• hard milkwood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Alstonia batino
• Alstonia acuminata
• Alstonia macrophylla var. glabra
• Alstonia macrophylla var. mollis
• Alstonia subsessilis
• Alstonia macrophylla var. acuminata
• Alstonia oblongifolia
• Alstonia paucinervia
• Alstonia pangkorensis
• Alstonia glabriflora
• Alstonia brassii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianales, it is classified under the family Apocynaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Alstonia, specifically as the species Alstonia macrophyllia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be found specifically within the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it is documented in both India and Bangladesh. Additionally, the species is located on the island nation of Sri Lanka. Together, these areas highlight the diverse habitats where the plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Alstonia macrophylla is characterized by its classification as a perennial organism, meaning it maintains its existence and biological functions over many successive growing seasons rather than completing a single reproductive cycle in one year. In terms of its structural growth habit and ecological positioning, the species is categorized as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits of both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms. This indicates that its perennating buds are located high above the ground on woody stems or branches, allowing the plant to survive unfavorable environmental conditions by protecting its vital tissues in elevated, structural biomass.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Alstonia macrophylla is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a tree. This species is a terrestrial plant that functions independently, showing no parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, it is a substantial plant with a height that varies significantly, ranging from a minimum of 3 meters to a maximum of 30 meters, with an average height of approximately 7 meters. Despite its significant vertical reach, it is classified as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or a liana, and it is strictly terrestrial rather than being an epiphyte or an aquatic plant.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

7 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Alstonia macrophylla is characterized by its specific photosynthetic and vegetative adaptations. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. Its foliage exhibits significant morphological variation, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 15 cm to a maximum of 30 cm, resulting in a mean leaf length of 22.5 cm. Furthermore, the leaves possess a mean width of 8 cm, contributing to the overall surface area available for light interception. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil nitrogen availability for its growth and developmental processes.

Leaf length max:

30 cm

Leaf length mean:

22.5 cm

Leaf length min:

15 cm

Leaf width mean:

8 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Alsotonia macrophylla is characterized by the development of distinct inflorescences that serve as the primary reproductive structures of the plant. These inflorescences exhibit a specific size range, typically measuring between a minimum of 0.04 m and a maximum of 0.06 m in length. This controlled length of the flowering structure is a key morphological feature during its reproductive phase, facilitating the presentation of flowers for pollination processes.

Inflorescence length max:

0.06 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.04 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Alstonia macrophylla has 3 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, stem.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of natural products

Root

1. Planta medica

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Alstonia macrophylla has 25 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-SITOSTEROL, Flavonoids, Macralstonine, Sterols, Tannins.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Contraception

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Contraception

Macralstonine

1. Fitoterapia
2. Planta medica

Sterols

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Contraception

Tannins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Contraception

Ursolic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Contraception

beta-Sitosterol glucoside

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Contraception

10,11-Dimethoxynareline

1. Journal of natural products

16-Hydroxyalstonal

1. Journal of natural products

16-Hydroxyalstonisine

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Alstonia macrophylla has 7 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Anticancer, Antimalarial, Antipyretic, Aphrodisiac.

Antimicrobial

1. Microbial pathogenesis
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anticancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimalarial

1. Microbial pathogenesis

Antipyretic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aphrodisiac

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Emmenagogue

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Vulnerary

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Alstonia macrophylla has 8 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Escherichia coli, Plasmodium falciparum, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus.

Escherichia coli

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Plasmodium falciparum

1. Planta medica

Proteus mirabilis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Staphylococcus saprophyticus

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Streptococcus faecalis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antipyretic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Prostate cancer

1. Fitoterapia

Preparations

Alstonia macrophylla has 4 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Methanol extracts of root barks, leaf extract, methanol extracts, stem bark extract.

Methanol extracts of root barks

1. Planta medica

Leaf extract

1. Journal of natural products

Methanol extracts

1. Microbial pathogenesis

Stem bark extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology