Antidesma madagascariense

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Antidesma madagascariense, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is classified under the family Phyllanthaceae and the genus Antidesma.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across the Western Indian Ocean region. Its natural habitat includes the island nation of Madagascar, where it plays a role in the local ecosystem. It is also found within the archipelago of the Comoros. Furthermore, the species extends its range to include the island of Mauritius. Finally, its geographical presence is noted on the island of Réunion.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Antidesma madagascariense is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located high above the ground on woody stems. Within this classification, it specifically exhibits the traits of both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, indicating that while it maintains a perennial existence with elevated buds, its stature typically remains relatively small or shrub-like compared to larger forest trees. This life strategy allows the plant to persist through seasonal environmental fluctuations by protecting its vital meristematic tissues on elevated branches, ensuring its continued survival and ability to regrow during favorable growing conditions.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Antidesma madagascariense is characterized by its woody structure and robust growth form, which can manifest as either a shrub or a tree. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as an obligatory or facultative climber, such as a liana or vine, but rather maintains its own structural integrity. The species is strictly terrestrial in its ecological habit, lacking any aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, and it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior. Furthermore, it is an independent organism, functioning without parasitic reliance on other plants.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Antidesma madagascariense is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit a very specific and narrow range of mass, indicating a high level of uniformity in its reproductive output. The seed mass within a population shows minimal variation, with a measured mean mass of 0.013416667 g. This consistency is further evidenced by the slight fluctuations between the smallest and largest recorded seeds, where the minimum seed mass is 0.01296 g and the maximum seed mass reaches 0.01397 g. This precise distribution of seed weight suggests a stabilized reproductive strategy aimed at maintaining a consistent seed size for successful dispersal and germination.

Seed mass max:

0.01397 g

Seed mass mean:

0.013416667 g

Seed mass min:

0.01296 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Antidesma madagascariense 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. British journal of biomedical science

Chemicals

Antidesma madagascariense has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Hyperoside, Phenols, Saponins, Superoxide.

Flavonoids

1. British journal of biomedical science

Hyperoside

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Phenols

1. British journal of biomedical science

Saponins

1. British journal of biomedical science

Superoxide

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

nitric oxide

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Activities

Antidesma madagascariense has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiglycation, Antioxidant.

Antiglycation

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
2. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Antioxidant

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
2. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Medicinal Uses

Antidesma madagascariense has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include dysentery, fever, infectious diseases, jaundice, type 2 diabetes.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations