Alstonia rostrata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across parts of East and Southeast Asia. In China, it can be found throughout the South-Central regions as well as on the island of Hainan. Its range extends into the Indo-China peninsula, where it is native to several countries. Specifically, it is documented to grow within the territories of Cambodia and Laos. Furthermore, the species is also distributed across Myanmar.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Alstonia rostrata is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain its presence within its ecological niche over multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the plant is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits consistent with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte classifications, which indicates that its regenerative buds are located well above the ground level on woody stems or branches. This life form enables the plant to withstand various environmental conditions by maintaining its photosynthetic organs at a significant height from the soil surface.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Alstonia rostrata is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, exhibiting a growth form that allows it to reach significant dimensions in its natural habitat. It is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. In terms of its physical scale, the plant typically reaches a mean height of 22 m, though it is capable of attaining a maximum height of up to 30 m. Despite its substantial size, its structural nature is described as self-supporting, distinguishing it from climbing vines or lianas.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

22 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Alstonia rostrata is characterized by specific structural and metabolic attributes that influence its growth and survival in its natural habitat. A key indicator of its structural integrity and resource allocation strategy is its stem specific density (SSD), which maintains a mean value of 490.5 mg/cm³. This density reflects the internal cellular arrangement and the lignification processes within the stem tissue, providing necessary mechanical support and hydraulic efficiency. Furthermore, in terms of its nutrient acquisition capabilities, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, meaning it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to meet its metabolic nitrogen requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

490.5 mg/cm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Alstonia rostrata 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 stem.

Stem

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Alstonia rostrata has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extract of the stem bark.

Ethanolic extract of the stem bark

1. Journal of natural products