Bentham's cornel

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Bentham's Dogwood
• Bentham's cornel
• evergreen dogwood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Benthamia capitata
• Benthamidia capitata
• Dendrobenthamia capitata
• Cynoxylon capitatum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized in the order Cornales and the family Cornaceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Cornus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions of Asia. Within China, it can be found throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its range also extends into the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, the species is documented in the state of Assam. Finally, it is widely distributed across the East Himalaya region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cornus capitata is characterized by its presence in specific montane environments, where it thrives across a significant altitudinal gradient. This species is typically found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 1450 m AMSL to a maximum of 2900 m AMSL. In terms of its preferred microhabitat, the plant is frequently observed colonizing disturbed or open areas, specifically along roadsides, where it can establish itself within the local landscape.

Elevational range max:

2900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1450 m AMSL

Habitat :

roadsides

Life history

The life history of Cornus capitata is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem over multiple growing seasons. Regarding its structural growth and survival strategy, the plant exhibits a dual classification of life forms, functioning both as a phanerophyte, with its buds elevated on woody branches above the ground, and as a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its specific stature and architectural development within its habitat.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cornus capitata is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically categorized as a tree. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber or a liana, nor does it exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behavior, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The plant displays significant vertical development, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 4 m to a maximum of 15 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 6.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

6.5 m

Plant height min:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cornus capitata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy typical of many temperate woody species that utilizes the enzyme RuBisCO for initial carbon fixation under moderate environmental conditions. This metabolic framework supports the development of its foliage, where the leaves exhibit specific morphological constraints, including a maximum leaf length of 7 cm. These physiological parameters dictate the plant's efficiency in gas exchange and energy conversion, influencing its adaptive capacity to light availability and moisture levels within its natural habitat.

Leaf length max:

7 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cornus capitata is characterized by a specific flowering period that begins and concludes in May. The plant produces fleshy fruits with a mean width of approximately 3 cm, which facilitate its reproductive strategy. These fruits follow a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, specifically utilizing endozoochory, where seeds are dispersed through the digestive tracts of animals. The seeds themselves are relatively uniform in volume, with a recorded mean, minimum, and maximum volume of 81 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds vary slightly, ranging from a minimum of 0.0369 g to a maximum of 0.04049 g, with an average seed mass of 0.03953 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flowering time :

May

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit width mean:

3 cm

Seed mass max:

0.04049 g

Seed mass mean:

0.03953 g

Seed mass min:

0.0369 g

Seed volume max:

81 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cornus capitata 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 stem.

Stem

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Chemicals

Cornus capitata has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include betulinic acid, Arjunolic acid, Betulin.

betulinic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Arjunolic acid

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Cornus capitata has 25 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticarcinomic.

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antidiabetic

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Cornus capitata has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include postprandial hyperglycemia.

Postprandial hyperglycemia

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Preparations

Cornus capitata has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanolic extract.

Methanolic extract

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine