Cryptocarya agathophylla

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Agathophyllum ravensara
• Ravensara aromatica
• Ravensara anisata
• Ravensara aromatica
• Agathophyllum aromaticum
• Evodia aromatica
• Evodia ravensarae

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered as Laurales and placed in the family Lauraceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Cryptocarya, specifically the species Cryptocarya agatophylla.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is characterized by a very specific and limited geographical range. It is native to the tropical regions located within the Western Indian Ocean. Specifically, its natural distribution is confined to the island of Madagascar. Because it is endemic to this single area, it plays a unique role in the local ecosystem. Consequently, the survival of this species is closely tied to the environmental conditions found on this island.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cryptocarya agatophylla is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it maintains its vegetative structures and continues to grow through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a long-lived woody plant, it follows a developmental trajectory that moves from seed germination into an extended vegetative establishment phase, eventually reaching reproductive maturity where it can produce flowers and fruits repeatedly over many years. This perennial nature allows the plant to invest significant energy into structural stability and long-term survival within its ecological niche, providing a consistent presence in its habitat across varying seasonal cycles.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cryptocarya agathophylla is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, reaching an average height of approximately 20 m. Unlike climbing species, it is a self-supporting plant that maintains a sturdy, tree-like growth form.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cryptocarya agatophylla is characterized by its metabolic processes and nutritional strategies typical of members within the Lauraceae family. As a woody perennial, its physiological functions are centered around efficient carbon sequestration through photosynthesis and the regulation of transpiration to maintain water balance within its canopy. In terms of its nutrient acquisition strategies, the plant does not possess a symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria to convert atmospheric gas into organic forms; therefore, it is not a nitrogen fixer. This lack of nitrogen-fixing capability means the plant relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system to fulfill its physiological requirements for amino acid and protein synthesis. Its metabolic activity is closely tied to environmental factors such as light intensity, soil moisture, and ambient temperature, which dictate its rate of respiration and nutrient assimilation.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cryptocarya agatophylia is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit a highly consistent physical profile. Based on available botanical data, the seed mass for this species is remarkably uniform, with a mean value of 8.3333 g. This consistency is reflected in the lack of variance across the measured population, as both the maximum and minimum seed mass recorded are also 8.3333 g. Such precise uniformity in seed mass suggests a specialized reproductive strategy where energy allocation per propagule is strictly regulated, ensuring that each seed possesses a standardized amount of nutrient reserves to support early seedling development.

Seed mass mean:

8.3333 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cryptocarya agathophylla 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Cryptocarya agathophylla has 21 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,8-Cineole, ALPHA-PINENE, Alpha terpinene, BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE, BETA-PINENE.

1,8-Cineole

1. Dr. Duke

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha terpinene

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

CITRONELLAL

1. Dr. Duke

Citronellol

1. Dr. Duke

Citronellyl acetate

1. Dr. Duke

EO

1. Dr. Duke

Elemicin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Cryptocarya agathophylla has 205 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimutagenic, (-)-Chronotropic, (-)-Inotropic, ACE-Inhibitor, AChE-Inhibitor.

Antimutagenic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Mutation research

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AChE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allelopathic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations