Croton kongensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Croton tonkinensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Croton kongensis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Malpighiales and the family Euphorbiaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Croton.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across parts of East and Southeast Asia. In China, it can be found within the South-Central regions as well as on the island of Hainan. Its range extends further into the Indo-China peninsula, where it is native to Laos. Additionally, the species is documented to grow within the borders of Myanmar. Finally, its presence is also confirmed in the country of Thailand.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Croton kongensis is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution that spans from lowland areas to mid-elevation terrains. The species is typically found at elevations starting as low as 40 m AMSL, reaching its peak distribution at a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL. On average, the plant thrives at a mean elevation of 520 m AMSL, suggesting an ecological preference for tropical or subtropical landscapes that encompass diverse topographical gradients.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

520 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

40 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Croton kongensis is characterized by its long-term survival as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and life form, the species exhibits characteristics of both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte classifications, indicating a growth habit where the permanent organs are held above the ground level, either as woody stems or small, low-lying shrubs. This life strategy enables the plant to maintain a stable presence within its ecological niche, utilizing its perennial nature to endure seasonal fluctuations while maintaining its vascular structure above the soil surface.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Croton kongensis is characterized by a woody growth form, manifesting primarily as a tree. This plant exhibits a self-supporting habit, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. In terms of stature, the plant displays significant variation in size, with heights ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 3 meters, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 2.5 meters.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

2.5 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Croton kongensis is characterized by specific morphological dimensions and nutritional processes, particularly regarding its foliar structure and metabolic capabilities. The leaves exhibit a significant range in size, with lengths spanning from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 12 cm, maintaining an average leaf length of 8.5 cm. The width of the leaves is similarly variable, ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 5 cm. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic interactions, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized biological mechanisms to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for its own growth.

Leaf length max:

12 cm

Leaf length mean:

8.5 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Croton kongensis is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its inflorescences and developing fruits. The plant produces inflorescences that vary in size, typically ranging from a minimum length of 0.05 m to a maximum length of 0.15 m. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruits with measurable variations in size; these fruits exhibit a minimum length of 0.4 cm and can reach a maximum length of 0.6 cm, with an average fruit length of approximately 0.5 cm.

Fruit length max:

0.6 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.5 cm

Fruit length min:

0.4 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.15 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.05 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Croton kongensis has 1 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.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products
2. Planta medica
3. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

Chemicals

Croton kongensis has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 7alpha,10alpha-epoxy-14beta-hydroxygrayanane-1(2),16(17)-dien-15-one, 7alpha,10alpha-epoxy-14beta-hydroxygrayanane-1(5),16(17)-dien-2,15-dione, CROTONKINENSIN A, CROTONKINENSIN B, Crotonkinensin C.

7alpha,10alpha-epoxy-14beta-hydroxygrayanane-1(2),16(17)-dien-15-one

1. Journal of natural products

7alpha,10alpha-epoxy-14beta-hydroxygrayanane-1(5),16(17)-dien-2,15-dione

1. Journal of natural products

CROTONKINENSIN A

1. Journal of natural products

CROTONKINENSIN B

1. Journal of natural products

Crotonkinensin C

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

Crotonkinensin D

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

ent-8,9-seco-7alpha,11beta-diacetoxykaura-8(14),16-dien-9,15-dione

1. Journal of natural products

ent-8,9-seco-7alpha-hydroxy-11beta-acetoxykaura-8(14),16-dien-9,15-dione

1. Journal of natural products

ent-8,9-seco-8,14-epoxy-7alpha-hydroxy-11beta-acetoxy-16-kauren-9,15-dione

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Croton kongensis has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Antitumor, Cytotoxic.

Antimalarial

1. Journal of natural products

Antitumor

1. Journal of natural products

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Croton kongensis has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Triple-negative breast cancer, antimalarial.

Triple-negative breast cancer

1. Journal of medicinal chemistry

Antimalarial

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Croton kongensis has 3 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include MeOH extract of the leaves, leaves, methanolic extract.

Meoh extract of the leaves

1. Planta medica

Leaves

1. Journal of natural products

Methanolic extract

1. Journal of natural products