Indian Balm of Gilead

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Indian Balm of Gilead

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Balsamea berryi
• Balsamodendrum berryi
• Balsamodendrum berryanum
• Protium gileadense

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Further taxonomic details place it in the subclass Magnoliidae, under the order Sapindales and the family Burseraceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Commiphora, which includes the species Commiphora berryi.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found within the diverse landscapes of the Indian Subcontinent. Its geographical range specifically encompasses the vast territory of India, where it grows in various local habitats. Additionally, the species can be located on the island nation of Sri Lanka. These two regions represent the core areas where the plant's natural distribution is established. Consequently, its presence is concentrated within these specific South Asian territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Commiphora berryi is characterized by its existence as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. This plant exhibits a deciduous nature, meaning it undergoes a seasonal shedding of its foliage, a strategy often employed to conserve moisture and survive during periods of environmental stress or dry cycles.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Commiphora berryi is characterized by its growth form as a tree, which typically reaches a mean plant height of 6 m. The plant exhibits a woody structure, providing the necessary physical support for its stature. In terms of its habit, it is classified as a self-supporting species, maintaining its upright posture without the need for external climbing structures.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Plant height mean:

6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Commiphora berryi is characterized by specialized adaptations to arid and semi-arid environments, focusing on water conservation and metabolic efficiency. As a member of the Burseraceae family, the plant utilizes a succulent-like approach to moisture management, often employing Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) or modified C3 pathways to minimize transpirational water loss during peak thermal periods. Its metabolic processes are heavily supported by a complex resinous system, which serves not only as a defense mechanism against herbivory and pathogens but also plays a role in sealing wounds to prevent desiccation. Regarding its nutrient acquisition, Commiphora berryi does not exhibit the physiological capacity for biological nitrogen fixation; it is not a nitrogen fixer and lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms. Consequently, its growth and physiological vigor are highly dependent on the availability of nitrogen within the soil substrate, necessitating efficient root systems capable of scavenging limited nutrients in nutrient-poor, sandy, or rocky terrains.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Commiphora berryi has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Daucosterol, Friedelin, Nimbiol, SUGIOL, Surianol.

Daucosterol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Friedelin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Nimbiol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

SUGIOL

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Surianol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ursolic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Commiphora berryi has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Antibacterial

1. Natural product research

Antimicrobial

1. Natural product research

Antioxidant

1. Natural product research

Cytotoxic

1. Natural product research

Conditions

Commiphora berryi has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, cold, fever, wound healing.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

1. Natural product research

Cold

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fever

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Wound healing

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Commiphora berryi has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude bark extracts, methanolic extracts.

Crude bark extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methanolic extracts

1. Natural product research