East Indian satinwood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• East Indian Satinwood
• Ceylon satinwood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Swietenia chloroxylon

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 Sapindales and the family Rutaceae, it is classified under the genus Chloroxylon. This specific taxonomic hierarchy identifies Chloroxylon swietenia as a member of a diverse group of flowering plants.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Chloroxylon swietenii, possesses a specific geographical range within the Asian continent. Its natural habitat is primarily concentrated within the Indian Subcontinent. Specifically, the species can be found growing natively across various regions of India. Additionally, its distribution extends across the waters to the island nation of Sri Lanka. These locations represent the core areas where the plant thrives in its natural environment.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Chloroxylon swietenii is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain a long-term presence within its tropical ecosystem. As a deciduous plant, it undergoes seasonal changes where it sheds its foliage, typically in response to dry periods, to conserve moisture and regulate its metabolic processes. This lifecycle involves a robust growth period followed by a dormant phase, ensuring its survival through varying environmental conditions over many years.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Chloroxylon swietenii is characterized by a robust growth form, specifically identified as a tree. This woody plant reaches a significant stature, with a mean plant height of approximately 18 meters. In terms of its structural support and habit, it is classified as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber, distinguishing it from lianas or vines. Its physical structure is consistently woody, providing the necessary stability for its substantial vertical development.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Plant height mean:

18 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Chloroxylon swietenii is characterized by a metabolic framework consistent with many tropical woody species, specifically utilizing the C3 photosynthetic pathway for carbon fixation. This process involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme Rubisco within the mesophyll cells, rather than employing the specialized mechanisms found in C4 or CAM plants. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to support its growth and nutritional requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Chloroxylon swietenioides is primarily driven by the production of seeds contained within woody, dehiscent capsules. These seeds exhibit specific morphological variations in weight, characterized by a mean seed mass of 0.01884 g. Within the population, there is a measurable range of seed sizes, with the smallest recorded seeds having a mass of 0.01268 g and the largest reaching a maximum mass of 0.025 g. This distribution of seed mass reflects the energetic investment and reproductive potential inherent in its dispersal mechanism, ensuring the propagation of the species through these lightweight units.

Seed mass max:

0.025 g

Seed mass mean:

0.01884 g

Seed mass min:

0.01268 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Chloroxylon swietenia has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC
2. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Stem

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Chemicals

Chloroxylon swietenia has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Chalepensin, Chalepin, Flavonoid, Flavonoids, Gallic acid.

Chalepensin

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Chalepin

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Flavonoid

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Flavonoids

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Gallic acid

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Isopimpinellin

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Lupeol

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Saponins

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Tannins

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

ferulic acid

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Medicinal Uses

Chloroxylon swietenia has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include MCF-7 cells, breast cancer, tumor.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations