Dillenia papuana

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Wormia papuana
• Wormia calothyrsa
• Dillenia calothyrsa

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Dillenia papuana, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Dilleniales. Finally, it is a member of the family Dilleniaceae and is situated within the genus Dillenia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to the specific region of Papuasia. Its natural habitat is primarily located within the diverse landscapes of New Guinea. Within this territory, it thrives amidst the unique tropical ecosystems found in the area. Because of this limited range, the species is considered an endemic part of the local flora. Consequently, its presence is strictly defined by the geographical boundaries of New Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Dillenia papuana is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived woody species, it does not follow the rapid turnover of annual or biennial plants, instead investing energy into structural longevity and sustained reproductive efforts over many years. Its developmental trajectory involves an initial establishment phase followed by a prolonged vegetative period, eventually reaching maturity where it can undergo repeated flowering and fruiting cycles. This perennial nature enables the plant to maintain a stable presence within its habitat, adapting to seasonal shifts while building the biomass necessary for its complex reproductive structures.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Dillenia papuana is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree. This species exhibits a significant stature, reaching a mean plant height of approximately 30 m. In terms of its structural habit, it is categorized as a self-supporting plant, rather than functioning as a liana, vine, or any other form of climber.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Plant height mean:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Dillenia papuana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy in many tropical woody plants that utilizes the enzyme Rubisco for initial carbon fixation during the Calvin cycle. This plant does not possess the specialized anatomy or biochemical mechanisms required for C4 or CAM metabolism, relying instead on standard atmospheric carbon dioxide uptake through its stomata. Furthermore, Dillenia papuana is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (such as Rhizobium or Frankia) necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; instead, it must depend on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium present within the soil substrate to meet its nutritional requirements for growth and development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Dillenia papuana has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Phytochemistry

Stem

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Dillenia papuana has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-Oxoolean-12-en-30-oic acid, BETULINALDEHYDE.

3-Oxoolean-12-en-30-oic acid

1. Phytochemistry

BETULINALDEHYDE

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Dillenia papuana has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial.

Antibacterial

1. Phytochemistry
2. Journal of natural products