Poonspar Tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Poonspar Tree
• poonspar
• sirpoontree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Calophyllum smilesianum
• Calophyllum smilesianum var. luteum
• Calophyllum elatum
• Calophyllum williamsianum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Following the order Malpighiales, it is a member of the family Calophyllaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic classification is placed within the genus Calophyllum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range across several key regions in Asia. Within China, its distribution is localized to the South-Central area. Moving to the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found throughout India and across Bangladesh. The species also inhabits the Assam region and extends into the East Himalaya. Together, these locations define the natural habitat of Calophyllum polyanthum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Calophyllum polyanthum is characterized by its specific distribution across varying altitudinal gradients within its native habitat. This species thrives across a broad vertical range, spanning from lower elevations to montane environments. Its ecological niche begins at a minimum elevation of 300 m AMSL and extends upward to a maximum altitude of 1800 m AMSL. Throughout its habitat, the species maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1450 m AMSL, indicating a strong ecological preference for mid-to-high altitude montane ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1450 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Calophyllum polyanthum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years rather than completing its cycle in a single season. Throughout its extended lifespan, the plant maintains a consistent physiological presence, which is further supported by its evergreen deciduousness; unlike deciduous species that shed foliage seasonally, this plant retains its green leaves year-round, ensuring continuous photosynthetic activity and structural stability within its ecosystem.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Calophyllum polyanthum is characterized by its growth form as a large, woody tree, typically reaching a significant height with a mean stature of approximately 27.5 m. As a self-supporting species, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit epiphyte or parasitic behaviors, maintaining an independent existence within its habitat. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its ecological habit, distinguishing it from aquatic or semiaquatic species. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, providing the necessary stability for its substantial vertical development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

27.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Calophyllum polyanthum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits specific morphological dimensions in its foliage, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 5.5 cm to a maximum of 9.5 cm, maintaining an average length of 7.5 cm. Concurrently, the leaf width varies between a minimum of 2.5 cm and a maximum of 4.3 cm. Structurally, the plant possesses a stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 610 mg/cm³, reflecting its internal tissue composition and mechanical properties. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, Calophyllum polyanthum is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil rather than through symbiotic nitrogen-fixing processes.

Leaf length max:

9.5 cm

Leaf length mean:

7.5 cm

Leaf length min:

5.5 cm

Leaf width max:

4.3 cm

Leaf width min:

2.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

610 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Calophyllum polyanthum is characterized by the development of fleshy fruits and variable seed masses that facilitate its dispersal. The fruits produced by this species typically exhibit a length ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm, with an average fruit length of approximately 2.25 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds show significant morphological variation in terms of weight; individual seed masses can be as small as 0.2381 g, while the largest recorded seeds reach up to 6.27835 g. On average, the seed mass is approximately 2.992425 g, reflecting a diverse range of reproductive investment per seed.

Fruit length max:

2.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

2.25 cm

Fruit length min:

2 cm

Seed mass max:

6.27835 g

Seed mass mean:

2.992425 g

Seed mass min:

0.2381 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Calophyllum polyanthum 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 seed.

Seed

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Calophyllum polyanthum has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoic acid, 3,4,5-Trihydroxybenzoic acid, 3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC ACID, 3,5-DIMETHOXYBENZOIC ACID, 3,5-Dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzoic acid.

2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoic acid

1. Journal of natural products

3,4,5-Trihydroxybenzoic acid

1. Journal of natural products

3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC ACID

1. Journal of natural products

3,5-DIMETHOXYBENZOIC ACID

1. Journal of natural products

3,5-Dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzoic acid

1. Journal of natural products

5,7,3',4'-Tetrahydroxyisoflavone

1. Journal of natural products

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Journal of natural products

CALOPOLYANOLIDES C

1. Journal of natural products

Calanolide E2

1. Journal of natural products

Calopolyanolide A

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations