Diospyros eriantha

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several key regions in Eastern and Southeast Asia. Within China, its presence is noted in the Hainan province as well as throughout China Southeast. The species also extends into the Nansei-shoto islands located within the broader Eastern Asia region. Furthermore, it can be found growing natively in Taiwan. Finally, its geographical range reaches into Indo-China, specifically within the borders of Vietnam.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Diospyros eriantha is characterized by its specific preference for lowland environments, primarily occupying habitats at relatively low altitudes. The species typically thrives within a specialized elevational range, with its distribution centered around a mean elevation of 500 m AMSL. This ecological niche suggests an adaptation to the warmer, more humid conditions found in lower tropical or subtropical forest strata, and the species does not appear to ascend significantly higher, as its maximum recorded elevation reaches only 500 m AMSL. Consequently, its presence is closely tied to these specific altitudinal gradients, which influence the soil composition, moisture availability, and microclimate essential for its growth and survival within its native ecosystem.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Diospyros eriantha is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that defines its life form. This plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Diospyros eriantha is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, typically reaching a mean height of approximately 10 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semi-aquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte. The plant is a self-supporting organism, lacking any climbing or liana-like growth habits, and it operates as an independent species rather than a parasite. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, supporting its growth form as a robust, free-standing tree.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Diospyros eriantha is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing standard carbon fixation processes typical of many woody dicots. Morphologically, the plant features lanceolate leaf forms with entire margins, lacking both leaf thorns and leaf spines. From a structural standpoint, the plant exhibits a stem specific density (SSD) of approximately 841 mg/cm³, indicating a relatively dense and robust wood structure. Furthermore, it does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on external nitrogen sources within its ecosystem for nutrient uptake.

Leaf form :

lanceolate

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

841 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Diospyros eriantha is primarily driven by the production of fleshy fruits that facilitate seed dispersal. These fruits exhibit specific morphological dimensions, characterized by a mean fruit length of 1.5 cm. Depending on the individual specimen and environmental conditions, the fruit length typically ranges from a minimum of 1.2 cm to a maximum of 1.8 cm. This variation in fruit size contributes to the plant's reproductive strategy, ensuring the successful distribution of seeds within its habitat.

Fruit length max:

1.8 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.5 cm

Fruit length min:

1.2 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Diospyros eriantha has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin, betulinic acid.

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

betulinic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Diospyros eriantha has 23 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticarcinomic.

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antileukemic

1. Dr. Duke