Pink Mempat

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Pink Mempat

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ancistrolobus formosus
• Elodes formosa

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further organized into the order Malpighiales and the family Hypericaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Cratoxylum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across Asia. Within China, its presence is noted in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, the species can be found specifically in the Assam region. Its range also extends into the Indo-China territory, encompassing the Andaman Islands. Collectively, these locations highlight the widespread natural habitat of Cratoxylum formosum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cratoxylum formosum is characterized by its specific distribution across varying altitudinal gradients within its native habitats. This species is primarily found in montane environments, occupying a vertical niche that begins at a minimum elevation of 600 m AMSL. As the terrain ascends, the plant maintains a presence through a mean elevation of approximately 1000 m AMSL, eventually reaching its upper ecological limit at an elevation of 1400 m AMSL. This altitudinal range suggests a preference for mid-elevation tropical or subtropical forest ecosystems, where it plays a role in the structural complexity of the vegetation layer.

Elevational range max:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cratoxylum formosum is characterized by its existence as a perennial species, ensuring its presence within its ecological niche over many successive growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its stem system above the ground, contributing to its structural complexity in its natural habitat. Its physiological cycle includes a deciduous phase, during which it sheds its foliage, a trait that influences its seasonal patterns of resource management and light interception. In terms of its growth habit, it is classified as a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its specific stature and developmental strategy within the forest hierarchy.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cratoxylum formosum is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically categorized as a tree. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte or a parasite, remaining an independent organism within its habitat. The plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a liana, vine, or any other type of climber. In terms of stature, it displays significant vertical development, with plant heights ranging from a minimum of 3 m to a maximum of 45 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 9.67 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

45 m

Plant height mean:

9.66666666666667 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cratoxylum formosum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The leaf morphology shows significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 10 cm, maintaining a mean length of approximately 7 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width varies from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 4 cm, resulting in an average leaf width of 3 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

7 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width mean:

3 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cratoxylum formosum is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily facilitated by insect vectors. The plant produces fruits that exhibit highly consistent morphological dimensions, with a mean, minimum, and maximum length all measured at 1.5 cm. Similarly, the fruit width remains uniform across its developmental range, maintaining a consistent measurement of 0.6 cm for its minimum, mean, and maximum values. This combination of specific insect-mediated pollination and standardized fruit sizing plays a critical role in the plant's reproductive cycle and seed dispersal mechanisms.

Fruit length max:

1.5 cm

Fruit width max:

0.6 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cratoxylum formosum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Root

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Cratoxylum formosum has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (E)-Caryophyllene, Anthraquinones, FORMOXANTHONE A, Formoxanthone B, Formoxanthone C.

(E)-Caryophyllene

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Anthraquinones

1. Phytochemistry

FORMOXANTHONE A

1. Phytochemistry

Formoxanthone B

1. Phytochemistry

Formoxanthone C

1. Phytochemistry

Activities

Cratoxylum formosum has 3 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Antibacterial

1. Phytochemistry

Antioxidant

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Cytotoxic

1. Phytochemistry

Conditions

Cratoxylum formosum has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Bacillus cereus, Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus.

Bacillus cereus

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Candida albicans

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Enterococcus faecalis

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Cardiovascular diseases

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Oxidative stress

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Preparations

Cratoxylum formosum has 3 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extracts, extracts, water crude extract.

Aqueous extracts

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Extracts

1. Materials science & engineering. C, Materials for biological applications

Water crude extract

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie