pepperberry-tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• pepperberry-tree
• purple-laurel
• she-beech
• white-sycamore
• white-walnut
• Australian laurel
• Pepperberry
• White Walnut

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Litsea ferruginea var. lanceolata
• Tetranthera ferruginea var. lanceolata

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 positioned in the order Laurales and the family Lauraceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Cryptocarya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning across several distinct regions. Within the Indo-China territory, it can be specifically found growing in Vietnam. Moving toward the Australian continent, its presence is well-documented in the state of New South Wales. Additionally, the species extends its reach further north into the tropical regions of Queensland. These varied locations demonstrate the plant's ability to inhabit diverse environments across Southeast Asia and Australia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cryptocarya obovata is fundamentally defined by its preference for lowland environments, where it thrives within the complex structural layers of tropical or subtropical forest ecosystems. In these low-elevation habitats, the species typically occupies well-drained soils and relies on the consistent humidity and stable thermal conditions characteristic of lowland biomes. As a component of the forest canopy or sub-canopy, its presence is closely tied to the nutrient cycling and light availability patterns found in these productive regions. The plant's ecological niche is shaped by its interaction with the moist, warm microclimates of the lowlands, which support its physiological requirements and influence its distribution alongside other diverse flora and fauna within the lowland forest community.

Habitat :

Lowland

Life history

The life history of Cryptocarya obovata is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a growth form where the perennating buds are located high above the ground on aerial shoots. Within this category, it specifically functions as a phanerophyte, indicating its development as a woody plant that maintains its vital reproductive structures on elevated branches, protecting them from seasonal environmental stresses. This life strategy allows the species to establish a persistent presence in its habitat, utilizing its perennial structure to navigate seasonal changes while ensuring the survival of its buds above the soil surface.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Cryptocarya obovata is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, reaching a maximum plant height of 40 m. As a terrestrial organism, it does not exhibit aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic lifestyles, maintaining an independent existence rather than functioning as a parasite. Structurally, the plant is self-supporting, lacking the climbing or vining habits associated with lianas or facultative climbers, and instead relies on its sturdy, woody architecture to maintain its upright stature.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

40 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cryptocarya obovata is characterized by a specific suite of morphological and metabolic adaptations, most notably its reliance on the C3 photosynthetic pathway for carbon fixation. The plant's vegetative structure features relatively small, specialized foliage, with leaf dimensions ranging from a minimum length of 0.5 cm to a maximum length of 1 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width is similarly constrained, measuring between a minimum of 0.5 cm and a maximum of 1 cm, reflecting a compact leaf architecture integrated with its C3 metabolic processes.

Leaf length max:

1 cm

Leaf length min:

0.5 cm

Leaf width max:

1 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cryptocarya obovata 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 fruit.

Fruit

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Cryptocarya obovata has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Kurzichalcolactone B, obochalcolactone, oboflavanone A, oboflavanone B, obolactone.

Kurzichalcolactone B

1. Journal of natural products

obochalcolactone

1. Journal of natural products

oboflavanone A

1. Journal of natural products

oboflavanone B

1. Journal of natural products

obolactone

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Cryptocarya obovata has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include fruits, trunk bark.

Fruits

1. Journal of natural products

Trunk bark

1. Journal of natural products