Cullenia ceylanica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cullenia excelsa
• Durio ceylanicus

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malvales. Finally, it is a member of the family Malvacaceae and is specifically categorized under the genus Cullenia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily identified by its specific presence within the Indian Subcontinent. Its geographical range is notably concentrated within the island nation of Sri Lanka. Because of this localized occurrence, it is considered an important part of the region's unique botanical heritage. Researchers often focus on these specific habitats to study its natural ecological requirements. Consequently, the distribution of Cullenia ceylanica remains a distinct feature of Sri Lankan flora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cullenia ceylanica is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and present year-round without undergoing a period of seasonal leaf shedding.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cullenia ceylanica is characterized by its growth form as a tree, reaching an average plant height of approximately 30 m. It is a woody species that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, as it maintains a terrestrial lifestyle. Furthermore, the plant is self-supporting in its structure, lacking the climbing habits of lianas or vines.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cullenia ceylanica is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO without the specialized adaptations found in C4 or CAM plants. This metabolic process dictates its reliance on specific environmental conditions, such as adequate moisture and moderate temperatures, to maintain efficient gas exchange and energy production. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (such as Rhizobium or Frankia) required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, thereby necessitating the uptake of nitrates or ammonium directly from the soil through its root system to support its growth and secondary metabolite production.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cullenia ceylanica has 22 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, Boehmenan, CALCIUM, Eucryphin, FAT.

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

Boehmenan

1. Journal of natural products

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

Eucryphin

1. Journal of natural products

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

Methyl 27-O-cis-caffeoylcylicodiscate

1. Journal of natural products

Methyl 27-O-trans-caffeoylcylicodiscate

1. Journal of natural products

Methyl protocatechuate

1. Journal of natural products

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Cullenia ceylanica has 216 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Absorbent, Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Analgesic.

Absorbent

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiAGE

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCFS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCTS

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations