coromandel boxwood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• coromandel boxwood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Monetia diacantha
• Webera tetrandra
• Azima diacantha
• Paederia valli-kara
• Gmelina coromandelina

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianaales, it is classified under the family Rubiaceae and belongs to the genus Cantium. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined as Cantium coroandelicum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across the diverse landscapes of the Indian Subcontinent. It can be found growing naturally within the borders of India and its neighboring nations. Specifically, its presence is documented in the regions of Assam and throughout Bangladesh. The species also extends its reach into the mountainous terrains of Nepal. Furthermore, its geographical range continues southward to include the island of Sri Lanka.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Canthium coroandelicum is characterized by its distinct growth habits and structural classifications within various ecological niches. This species primarily manifests as a phanerophyte, maintaining its reproductive shoots well above the ground level to facilitate survival and dispersal. Depending on the specific environmental conditions and the development of its canopy, it can also exhibit traits of a nanophanerophyte, where its height is relatively limited compared to larger woody plants but remains elevated above the soil surface. These life forms allow the plant to navigate seasonal shifts and resource availability, ensuring its persistence through specialized architectural strategies.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Cantium coroandelicum is characterized by a woody growth habit, exhibiting a sturdy and perennial structure. It functions as a self-supporting climber, possessing the structural integrity to ascend through liana or vine-like growth patterns without requiring external hosts for support. As a self-supporting entity, its climbing mechanism is categorized as facultative rather than obligatory, allowing it to maintain its form independently. Furthermore, the plant is an independent organism, meaning it does not function as a parasite, and it maintains a terrestrial existence rather than growing as an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Canthium coromandelicum 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. In silico pharmacology

Chemicals

Canthium coromandelicum has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 8-C-Galactosylluteolin, Araliasaponin V, Quercetin 3,7-dirhamnoside, Saponin D, quinic acid.

8-C-Galactosylluteolin

1. In silico pharmacology

Araliasaponin V

1. In silico pharmacology

Quercetin 3,7-dirhamnoside

1. In silico pharmacology

Saponin D

1. In silico pharmacology

quinic acid

1. In silico pharmacology

Preparations

Canthium coromandelicum has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Methanolic extracts of leaf.

Methanolic extracts of leaf

1. In silico pharmacology