Diospyros malabarica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the vast landscapes of the Indian Subcontinent. Within this region, it can be found growing in the diverse terrains of India and Bangladesh. Its presence extends further into the mountainous reaches of the East Himalaya. Specific populations are also known to inhabit the state of Assam. Additionally, the geographical range of this species includes the country of Nepal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Diospyros malabarica is characterized by its existence as a perennial organism, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive shoots are elevated well above the ground on woody stems, a life form classification that appears consistently across its developmental stages. This species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year without a seasonal shedding period, contributing to its continuous photosynthetic activity and stable structural presence in its habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Diospyros malaibarica is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree that reaches significant dimensions, with a mean height of approximately 30 m and a maximum potential height of up to 37 m. As a self-supporting growth form, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit any parasitic tendencies, existing instead as an independent organism. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its ecological habit, lacking any epiphytic or aquatic characteristics. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, providing the necessary stability for its substantial vertical development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

37 m

Plant height mean:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Diospyros malabarica is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, where carbon fixation occurs through the Calvin cycle without the specialized adaptations found in C4 or CAM plants. This metabolic process involves the direct fixation of atmospheric CO2 by the enzyme RuBisCO, making the plant's energy production highly dependent on efficient stomatal regulation and water availability. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria (such as Rhizobium) required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; instead, it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium present in the soil substrate to meet its nutritional requirements for protein synthesis and growth.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Diospyros malaibarica is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, where the transfer of pollen is facilitated through biological agents rather than abiotic factors. Specifically, the plant relies on insect pollination to ensure successful fertilization. Regarding its progeny, the plant produces seeds with a highly uniform mass; both the mean, minimum, and maximum recorded seed mass are consistent at 0.11834 g. This precise seed mass indicates a standardized reproductive output per seed, which is essential for the establishment of new individuals within its natural habitat.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.11834 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Diospyros malabarica 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 fruit.

Fruit

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Diospyros malabarica has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 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 malabarica has 23 reported activities identified across 1 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

Medicinal Uses

Diospyros malabarica has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include lung cancer.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations