Hijal

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• freshwater mangrove
• itchytree
• mango-pine

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Caryophyllus acutangulus
• Michelia acutangula
• Butonica acutangula
• Eugenia acutangula
• Huttum acutangulum
• Stravadium acutangulum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Barringtonia acutangula, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Ericales. Furthermore, it is a member of the Lecythidaceae family and falls under the genus Barringtonia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across parts of Western Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. Within the Western Asian region, it can be specifically found growing in Afghanistan. Its presence is also well-documented throughout the Indian Subcontinent, spanning multiple countries. Specifically, it inhabits various areas within India, Bangladesh, and the state of Assam. Additionally, the species extends its range into the neighboring territory of Pakistan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Barringtonia acutangula is characterized by its existence as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated structures, specifically through its woody growth habit. The species exhibits a deciduous nature, meaning it undergoes a seasonal shedding of its foliage as part of its natural growth cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Barringtonia acutangula is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The plant exhibits significant variation in stature, with a height range spanning from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 25 meters, maintaining an average height of approximately 13 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

25 m

Plant height mean:

13 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Barringtonia acutangula is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle without the specialized separation of carbon fixation seen in C4 or CAM plants. This metabolic strategy indicates that the plant relies on the enzyme Rubisco for initial carboxylation, a process typical of many woody tropical species that thrive in moist environments. Furthermore, this species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form; instead, it must acquire nitrogen through its root system from the surrounding soil organic matter and mineral deposits.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Barringtonia acutangula is characterized by a complex biological process involving specific pollination and dispersal mechanisms. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily relying on insects, with a specific emphasis on bees to facilitate fertilization. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds with a highly consistent mass; the seed mass is measured at a uniform 1.163 g, with the mean, minimum, and maximum values all aligning at this precise measurement. Once mature, the seeds are distributed via a hydrochorous dispersal syndrome, utilizing water as the primary medium to transport the seeds to new habitats.

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

1.163 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Barringtonia acutangula 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. International journal of Ayurveda research

Chemicals

Barringtonia acutangula has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Barrinic acid, Gallic acid, Glycosides, Ilexsaponin A1, Steroids.

Barrinic acid

1. International journal of Ayurveda research

Gallic acid

1. Natural product research

Glycosides

1. International journal of Ayurveda research

Ilexsaponin A1

1. Natural product research

Steroids

1. International journal of Ayurveda research

Tanginol

1. International journal of Ayurveda research

Tannins

1. International journal of Ayurveda research

Terpenes

1. International journal of Ayurveda research

pyrogallol

1. Natural product research

Activities

Barringtonia acutangula has 3 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Nephroprotective.

Antimicrobial

1. Natural product research

Antioxidant

1. Natural product research

Nephroprotective

1. Pharmacognosy research

Preparations

Barringtonia acutangula has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include powdered leaves, water extract of the bark of Barringtonia acutangula.

Powdered leaves

1. International journal of Ayurveda research

Water extract of the bark of barringtonia acutangula

1. Journal of natural products