Shrubby Dillenia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dillenia suffruticosa var. borneensis
• Wormia subsessilis var. borneensis
• Wormia suffruticosa
• Wormia subsessilis
• Wormia revoluta
• Dillenia burbidgei
• Wormia burbidgei

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 within the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Dilleniales, specifically within the family Dilleniaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its membership in the genus Dillenia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across Asia and the Indian Ocean. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it is commonly found growing in both India and Sri Lanka. Its range extends into the Indo-China region, specifically inhabiting the landscapes of Cambodia. In the Malesia region, the species can be located on the island of Borneo. Finally, its presence reaches the Western Indian Ocean, where it is established in the Seychelles.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dillenia suffruticosa is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level up to an elevation of 1000 m AMSL. It typically inhabits disturbed forest margins, secondary forests, and riparian zones, often acting as a pioneer species in areas where sunlight can penetrate the canopy. The plant is well-adapted to humid, tropical environments, frequently colonizing moist soils and edges of water bodies where it can take advantage of high light availability. Its distribution across these various elevations allows it to occupy diverse ecological niches within lowland and sub-montane landscapes, playing a significant role in forest succession and soil stabilization in its native habitats.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Dillenia suffruticosa is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish a long-term presence within its native tropical habitats. Throughout its lifecycle, the plant undergoes various developmental stages, beginning with seed germination which often occurs in moist, shaded forest understories or disturbed areas. As a perennial, it does not rely on a single seasonal cycle to complete its reproduction but instead maintains continuous vegetative growth and structural development over many years. This longevity enables the plant to invest significant energy into the production of its large, showy white flowers and subsequent fleshy, acidulous fruits. The reproductive phase involves a transition from flowering to seed dispersal, where the fruit serves as a mechanism for spreading progeny throughout the ecosystem. Because its lifespan extends far beyond a single year, the plant can withstand varying environmental conditions, contributing to its success as a resilient component of its ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Dillenia suffruticosa is characterized by its woody nature and substantial growth habit, primarily manifesting as a shrub or a tree. This plant is a terrestrial species, rather than an epiphyte, and can reach a mean height of approximately 7.5 m. While it possesses the structural integrity of a self-supporting plant, it is noted for its ability to function in various growth forms, ranging from a shrub to a larger tree, and it maintains a robust, woody constitution.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Plant height mean:

7.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Dillenia suffruticosa is characterized by its robust growth patterns and efficient nutrient assimilation strategies typical of tropical woody shrubs. Its metabolic processes are geared towards rapid biomass accumulation, supported by a complex root system designed for high moisture absorption in humid environments. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium or Frankia, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil organic matter to support its protein synthesis and enzymatic functions. The plant's photosynthetic efficiency is optimized for high-light intensity, utilizing its large, leathery leaves to maximize carbon fixation while managing transpiration rates through controlled stomatal conductance.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

Reproduction in Dillenia suffruticosa is characterized by the production of specialized seeds that facilitate its dispersal and establishment in tropical environments. The reproductive output is defined by highly consistent seed morphology, with all recorded measurements indicating a uniform seed mass. Specifically, the seed mass exhibits a mean value of 0.009 g, a maximum value of 0.009 g, and a minimum value of 0.009 g. This lack of variance in seed mass suggests a highly standardized reproductive strategy, where the plant allocates precise energy reserves to each seed to ensure consistent germination potential across its habitat.

Seed mass mean:

0.009 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Dillenia suffruticosa has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf.

Root

1. Fitoterapia
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaf

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Dillenia suffruticosa has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include betulinic acid, DICHLOROMETHANE, Flavonoids, Lupeol, Saponins.

betulinic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Scientific reports
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

DICHLOROMETHANE

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Lupeol

1. Scientific reports

Saponins

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Steroids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Tannins

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Terpenoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

eugenol

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

polyphenols

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Dillenia suffruticosa has 19 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Anticancer, Anticarcinomic.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Fitoterapia

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifungal

1. Fitoterapia

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antileukemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Dillenia suffruticosa has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include breast cancer, cancer, triple-negative breast cancer.

Breast cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Triple-negative breast cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Dillenia suffruticosa has 4 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include DCM-DS, dichloromethane Dillenia suffruticosa root extract, dichloromethane root extract, methanol extracts.

Dcm-ds

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Dichloromethane dillenia suffruticosa root extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Dichloromethane root extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methanol extracts

1. Fitoterapia