Bridelia retusa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Bridelia pierrei
• Clutia retusa
• Clutia spinosa
• Clutia squamosa
• Bridelia retusa var. glabra
• Bridelia retusa var. glauca
• Bridelia retusa var. pubescens
• Bridelia retusa var. squamosa
• Bridelia retusa var. stipulata
• Bridelia squamosa
• Bridelia squamosa var. meeboldii
• Bridelia roxburghiana
• Bridelia hamiltoniana var. glabra
• Bridelia fruticosa
• Bridelia cambodiana
• Bridelia chineensis
• Bridelia cinerascens
• Bridelia crenulata

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Bridelia retusa, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Phyllanthaceae and falls under the genus Bridelia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several distinct regions in Asia. In China, it can be found throughout the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. Moving toward the Indian subcontinent, the species is also documented in the state of Assam. Additionally, its natural range extends into the neighboring country of Bangladesh. These diverse locations highlight the significant geographical footprint of Bridelia retusa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bridelia retusa is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse altitudinal gradient, typically occupying habitats within a specific vertical span. This species is most commonly found inhabiting environments ranging from a minimum elevation of 400 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 1700 m AMSL. Such a broad elevational range suggests an adaptability to varying climatic conditions, ranging from warmer lowland settings to cooler montane zones. Within these elevations, its distribution is often tied to specific forest types or disturbed habitats where it can establish itself within the complex stratification of the ecosystem.

Elevational range max:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

400 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Bridelia retusa is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its stem branches well above the ground level, though it can also be classified under the nanophanerophyte growth form depending on its specific developmental stage and environmental context. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal biological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bridelia retusa is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which typically reaches a mean height of approximately 8 meters. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, maintaining an independent lifestyle rather than acting as a parasite. Structurally, the plant is self-supporting, lacking the climbing or vining habits found in lianas or other climbing taxa, and instead relies on its sturdy, woody framework for upright development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bridelia retusa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and metabolic efficiency in its natural habitat. As a plant utilizing the C3 pathway, it undergoes the Calvin cycle directly within the mesophyll cells, relying on the enzyme Rubisco to facilitate the initial carboxylation of CO2. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition capabilities, Bridelia retusa is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms and must instead rely on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bridelia retusa is characterized by the production of specialized seeds that serve as the primary unit for dispersal and propagation. The reproductive output of this species is highly consistent, with all recorded measurements indicating a uniform seed morphology. Specifically, the seed mass exhibits no variability within the documented parameters, maintaining a constant mass of 0.0794 g. This stability is reflected in the mean, maximum, and minimum values, all of which are precisely 0.0794 g. Such uniformity in seed mass suggests a highly standardized developmental process during the maturation of the fruit, ensuring that each seed possesses the same energetic investment for successful germination and establishment in its natural habitat.

Seed mass mean:

0.0794 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Bridelia retusa has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Stem

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Bridelia retusa has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Glycosides, Luteoforol, Phytosterols, ellagic acid.

Flavonoids

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Glycosides

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Luteoforol

1. Fitoterapia

Phytosterols

1. Frontiers in microbiology

ellagic acid

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Conditions

Bridelia retusa has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotic resistance

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Preparations

Bridelia retusa has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaf extracts.

Leaf extracts

1. Frontiers in microbiology