Dichapetalum gelonioides

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Chailletia gelonioides
• Moacurra gelonioides

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized under the order Malpighiales and the family Dichapetalaceae. Ultimately, its scientific classification is defined by the genus Dichapetalum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is distributed across several distinct regions within Asia. In China, it can be found specifically in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. Its presence also extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it grows in Assam. Furthermore, the species is documented to occur within the borders of Bangladesh. These diverse locations highlight its broad geographical range across both Chinese and South Asian landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dichapetalum gelonioides is characterized by its specific distribution across varied altitudinal gradients, which dictates its habitat preference and environmental interactions. This species is primarily found within a distinct elevational range, typically occupying mid-to-high altitude zones. Based on ecological data, the plant exhibits a presence across a broad vertical spectrum, with a minimum recorded elevation of 1500 m AMSL and a maximum elevation reaching up to 500 m AMSL, suggesting a specialized niche within these topographical constraints. The mean elevation for this species is centered around 1000 m AMSL, a factor that significantly influences the temperature, humidity, and moisture availability of its growing environment. These elevational parameters play a critical role in defining the specific microclimates where the plant can successfully thrive and compete within its ecosystem.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Dichapetalum gelonioides is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived species, it does not follow the rapid cycle of annuals or the intermediate duration of biennials, instead establishing a stable presence within its ecological niche. This perennial nature supports a continuous life cycle where the plant can undergo repeated reproductive phases, contributing to its long-term survival and ability to colonize habitats through sustained growth and periodic flowering.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Dichapetalum gelonioides is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a tree. Although it exhibits certain self-supporting qualities that may be associated with climbing habits in some contexts, it is specifically categorized by its robust, woody structure. In terms of its developmental habit, the plant functions as a self-supporting entity, lacking the obligatory or facultative reliance on external structures typically seen in true lianas or vines, and instead maintaining its stature as a perennial tree.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological development of the foliage in Dichapetalum gelonioides is characterized by significant morphological variability in leaf dimensions, which influences its photosynthetic capacity and transpiration rates. The leaves exhibit a diverse range of sizes, with lengths typically averaging around 11 cm, though they can fluctuate from a minimum of 6 cm to a maximum of 16 cm. Similarly, the leaf width shows a notable breadth of variation, maintaining a mean width of 4 cm, while ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 6 cm. This variability in surface area suggests an adaptive physiological mechanism to optimize light interception and gas exchange across different microclimatic conditions.

Leaf length max:

16 cm

Leaf length mean:

11 cm

Leaf length min:

6 cm

Leaf width max:

6 cm

Leaf width mean:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Dichapetalum gelonioides culminates in the development of its characteristic fruit, which exhibits a highly consistent morphology. The fruit is characterized by its uniform spherical or sub-spherical shape, as evidenced by its dimensions where the length and width are essentially identical. Specifically, the fruit maintains a constant measurement across all recorded variations, with a mean length of 1.8 cm and a mean width of 1.8 cm. This consistency is absolute, as the minimum, maximum, and mean values for both fruit length and fruit width are all strictly recorded at 1.8 cm, indicating a lack of dimensional variance in this specific trait during the reproductive phase.

Fruit length max:

1.8 cm

Fruit width max:

1.8 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Dichapetalum gelonioides 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 stem.

Stem

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Dichapetalum gelonioides has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include betulinic acid.

betulinic acid

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Dichapetalum gelonioides has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Cytotoxic.

Antimalarial

1. Journal of infection in developing countries

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Dichapetalum gelonioides has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Plasmodium falciparum.

Plasmodium falciparum

1. Journal of infection in developing countries

Preparations

Dichapetalum gelonioides has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethyl acetate-soluble extract of the stem bark, methanolic extracts.

Ethyl acetate-soluble extract of the stem bark

1. Journal of natural products

Methanolic extracts

1. Journal of infection in developing countries