Dilobeia thouarsii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is found exclusively within a specific region of the world. Its natural habitat is located in the Western Indian Ocean. Specifically, the geographical distribution of Dilobeia thouarsii is limited to the island of Madagascar. This restricted range suggests that the species may be endemic to this unique tropical environment. Consequently, the survival of this medicinal plant is closely tied to the conservation of Madagascar's diverse ecosystems.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Dilobelia thouarsii is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, establishing a robust presence within its ecosystem. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, maintaining its own nutritional processes without relying on a host. The plant is classified as a terrestrial species, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, and it does not function as an epiphyte. Structurally, it is a self-supporting plant rather than a climber, liana, or vine, relying on its own rigid, woody stem for vertical development rather than requiring external support to ascend.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Dilobeia thouarsii is characterized by a metabolic framework that utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common mechanism among woody tropical species where carbon fixation occurs directly through the Calvin cycle. This process involves the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) to form a three-carbon compound, which serves as the primary foundation for carbohydrate synthesis. The plant's physiological efficiency is closely tied to its ability to manage gas exchange and transpiration rates within its specific ecological niche, balancing the intake of CO2 with the loss of water vapor through stomatal regulation. By operating via the C3 pathway, Dilobeia thouarsii optimizes its energy production under typical forest conditions, facilitating the growth and secondary metabolite production essential to its biological functions.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Dilobeia thouarsii 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Dilobeia thouarsii has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include bark extracts, leaf extracts.

Bark extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaf extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology