Calophyllum macrocarpum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several regions in Asia. Within the Indo-China region, it can be found specifically on the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands. Its presence continues through the mainland in Thailand. Moving into the Malesia region, the species is documented in Borneo. Finally, it is also widely distributed throughout Malaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Calophyllum macrocarpum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem over many years. Throughout its long-lived existence, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that it retains its foliage and continues photosynthetic activity across various seasons rather than undergoing a deciduous phase.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Calophyllum macrocarpum is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree. It is a substantial, self-supporting plant that reaches a mean height of approximately 40 m, with the potential to reach a maximum height of 45 m. Unlike climbing species, it functions as a self-supporting organism rather than a liana or vine, and it maintains a terrestrial existence rather than exhibiting epiphytic habits.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Plant height max:

45 m

Plant height mean:

40 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Calophyllum macrocarpum is characterized by its metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells, a common trait among many tropical woody species. In terms of nutrient cycling, it does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium from the soil to satisfy its nitrogen requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Calophyllum macrocarpum is characterized by a dispersal syndrome that is primarily hydrochorous, meaning its seeds are adapted for transport via water bodies. While the species exhibits a complex ecological profile that can include elements of anemochorous (wind), zoochorous (animal), and autochorous (self-dispersal) mechanisms, its specialized reliance on hydrochory allows it to colonize riparian and coastal environments effectively. This water-based dispersal strategy ensures that the seeds can travel significant distances through river systems or coastal currents to reach suitable substrates for germination. The reproductive success of the plant is thus heavily dependent on the hydrological connectivity of its habitat, facilitating the spread of its progeny across aquatic landscapes.

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Calophyllum macrocarpum has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include betulinic acid.

betulinic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Calophyllum macrocarpum has 18 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticarcinomic.

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antileukemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke

Antimelanomic

1. Dr. Duke