Callicarpa pentandra

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several key regions in Southeast Asia. Within the Indo-China territory, its presence is notably documented in Thailand. Its range extends significantly into the Malesia region, where it can be found on the island of Borneo. Furthermore, the species is distributed across the islands of Jawa and the Malay Peninsula. Finally, its habitat reaches as far as the Maluku archipelago within the Malesian zone.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Callicarpa pentandra is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, indicating a perennial growth habit where the majority of its vegetative biomass is held above the ground on woody stems. Within its ecological niche, it exhibits a complex structural existence that can occasionally manifest as a nanophanerophyte, depending on the environmental stressors and the resulting height of its woody architecture. As a perennial woody species, it undergoes seasonal cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive phases, utilizing its elevated stem structure to optimize light interception and facilitate the dispersal of its seeds. This life form allows the plant to persist through varying seasonal conditions, maintaining a stable presence in its habitat through its robust, above-ground woody framework.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Callicarpa pentandra is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily developing as a tree. This species functions as an independent organism, exhibiting a terrestrial habit rather than acting as an epiphyte or parasite. In terms of its structural support and climbing tendencies, it is classified as a self-supporting plant, possessing the ability to maintain its stature without the need for obligatory or facultative climbing mechanisms such as vines or lianas. The plant reaches a maximum height of approximately 18 meters, supported by its robust, woody stem structure.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Callicarpa pentandra is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy in many woody dicotyledonous shrubs that involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme Rubisco. This carbon fixation process occurs within the mesophyll cells, where CO2 is incorporated into three-carbon organic compounds during the Calvin cycle. The plant's physiological processes are optimized for temperate to subtropical environments, relying on regulated stomatal conductance to balance the uptake of carbon dioxide for biomass production against the loss of water through transpiration. This metabolic framework supports the plant's energetic requirements for vegetative growth, the development of its characteristic inflorescences, and the synthesis of secondary metabolites essential for its medicinal properties.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Callicarpa pentandra 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. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Callicarpa pentandra has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Leaf extracts.

Leaf extracts

1. Journal of natural products