Agarwood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Agarwood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aquilaria tomentosa
• Pittosporum filarium
• Gyrinopsis acuminata
• Aquilaria acuminata

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Aquilaria filaria, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Malvales. Finally, it is a member of the family Thymelaeaceae and falls within the genus Aquilaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range concentrated within the tropical regions of Southeast Asia and Oceania. Its presence is documented across the Malesia botanical region, specifically within the Maluku Islands. Additionally, it can be found inhabiting various parts of the Philippines. The species also extends into the Papuasia region, where it grows in New Guinea. These locations highlight its distribution within the humid, island ecosystems of the western Pacific.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Aquilaria filaria is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. Throughout its developmental stages, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and provides photosynthetic capability year-round without the seasonal loss of leaves.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aquilaria filaria is characterized by its growth form as a tree, which exhibits a woody structure. This species typically reaches a plant height with a mean measurement of 14 m. Regarding its climbing habit, it is classified as a self-supporting plant.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Plant height mean:

14 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Aquilaria filaria is characterized by complex metabolic processes centered on the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, particularly sesquiterpenoids, within its specialized oleoresin ducts. As a woody perennial, its physiological framework relies on efficient photosynthetic pathways to drive carbon assimilation, which provides the energy necessary for the production of high-value aromatic compounds. While the plant engages in robust nutrient uptake and mineral transport to support its structural growth and resinous secretions, it does not function as a nitrogen fixer; specifically, regarding the trait of being a nitrogen fixer, the value is no. This indicates that the plant lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, instead relying on the absorption of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system to fulfill its physiological nitrogen requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Aquilaria filaria has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-(2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)chromone.

2-(2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)chromone

1. Planta medica