Casearia zeylanica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Casearia varians var. ovata
• Vareca zeylanica
• Casearia esculenta var. angusta
• Guidonia esculenta
• Casearia championii
• Casearia esculenta
• Casearia laevigata
• Casearia ovata var. minor
• Casearia varians
• Casearia varians var. minor

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales, it is situated in the family Salicaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Casearia, specifically as the species Casearia zeylanica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions of Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in India and throughout the state of Assam. Its presence extends further into the subcontinent to include the mountainous terrain of Nepal and the island of Sri Lanka. Beyond the Indian borders, the species also inhabits the Indo-China region, specifically within Myanmar. Consequently, these locations define the primary natural range for Casearia zeylanica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Casearia zeylanica is characterized by a highly specific niche, as it is strictly restricted to a narrow altitudinal band. This species is found within a precise elevational range that peaks at 1400 m AMSL and maintains a minimum threshold of 1400 m AMSL, indicating a specialized adaptation to high-altitude montane environments. Such a constrained vertical distribution suggests that the plant is highly sensitive to specific thermic and barometric conditions found at this exact level, likely occupying stable microclimates within its habitat that are not present in lower or higher elevations.

Elevational range max:

1400 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Casearia zeylanica is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its ecosystem for many years through successive growing seasons. As a long-lived woody species, it undergoes a developmental progression from seed germination to maturity, establishing a stable presence within its natural habitat. Its perennial nature ensures that it can endure seasonal fluctuations, repeatedly contributing to the local biomass and maintaining its physiological functions over an extended temporal scale rather than completing its cycle within a single year or two.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Casearia zeylanica is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as a self-supporting structure. It is a terrestrial plant that reaches a plant height ranging from a minimum of 6 meters to a maximum of 9 meters. Although it can exhibit characteristics associated with climbing habits, such as a liana or vine, it is primarily identified as a self-supporting woody species rather than an obligatory or facultative climber.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Plant height max:

9 m

Plant height min:

6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Casearia zeylanica is characterized by its metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies within its tropical ecosystem. As a woody perennial, its physiological framework relies on efficient photosynthetic pathways to support rapid biomass accumulation and structural development. Regarding its role in nutrient cycling, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its nitrogen acquisition is strictly dependent on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system. Its physiological processes are closely tied to moisture availability and light intensity, which regulate its transpiration rates and stomatal conductance, ensuring metabolic stability in varying environmental conditions.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Casearia zeylanica 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 root.

Root

1. Die Pharmazie

Chemicals

Casearia zeylanica has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Hexosamine, Hexose, fucose, sialic acid.

Hexosamine

1. Die Pharmazie

Hexose

1. Die Pharmazie

fucose

1. Die Pharmazie

sialic acid

1. Die Pharmazie

Activities

Casearia zeylanica has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic.

Antidiabetic

1. Die Pharmazie

Preparations

Casearia zeylanica has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include C. esculenta root extract.

C. esculenta root extract

1. Die Pharmazie