broadleaf ebony

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• broadleaf ebony
• sea ebony

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Diospyros camarinensis
• Maba megalocarpa
• Diospyros maritima var. oblongata
• Cargillia maritima
• Diospyros maritima var. ovalifolia
• Cargillia megalocarpa
• Diospyros nitens
• Cargillia laxa
• Diospyros kusanoi
• Diospyros liukiuensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ericales. Finally, it is a member of the family Ebenaceae and is categorized under the genus Diospyros.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions of Asia. In East Asia, its presence is noted within the Nansei-shoto islands and throughout Taiwan. Moving into mainland China, the species is specifically found within the South-Central region. Its range further extends into Indo-China, where it inhabits parts of Cambodia. Additionally, the plant can be located within the borders of Laos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Diospyros maritima is characterized by its classification as a perennial organism, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated branches, a life form that can be further specified as a phanerophyte to describe its structural growth pattern. Throughout its existence, it exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage year-round rather than shedding it seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Diospyros maritima is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically developing as a self-supporting tree. This plant exhibits a significant stature, with height measurements ranging from a minimum of 2 m to a maximum of 15 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 10 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte. The plant is biologically independent, meaning it does not act as a parasite, and its structural habit is strictly self-supporting rather than acting as a liana or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Diospyros maritima is characterized by a standard metabolic framework typical of many woody dicotyledonous species. Regarding its carbon assimilation processes, the plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, employing the enzyme Rubisco to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide directly into the Calvin cycle without the specialized anatomical adaptations found in C4 or CAM plants. Furthermore, in terms of its nutrient acquisition strategies, Diospyros maritima is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, relying instead on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Diospyros maritima is primarily driven by sexual processes involving specialized floral structures. In terms of its breeding system, self-fertilization is absent, meaning the plant relies on cross-pollination to ensure genetic diversity and successful seed set. This reliance on outcrossing suggests that the species may utilize specific insect vectors or environmental mechanisms to transfer pollen between genetically distinct individuals. Following successful pollination, the development of seeds occurs within the fruit, which serves as the primary vehicle for dispersal and the subsequent establishment of new seedlings in its natural habitat.

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Diospyros maritima 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 stem.

Stem

1. Planta medica

Chemicals

Diospyros maritima has 21 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Plumbagin, (4S)-Shinanolone, 2-methoxy-7-methyljuglone, 3-Methoxy-7-methyljuglone, 7-Methyljuglone.

Plumbagin

1. Journal of natural products
2. Planta medica

(4S)-Shinanolone

1. Journal of natural products

2-methoxy-7-methyljuglone

1. Journal of natural products

3-Methoxy-7-methyljuglone

1. Journal of natural products

7-Methyljuglone

1. Journal of natural products

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Planta medica

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

Chitranone

1. Journal of natural products

Diethyl (2R)-Malate

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Diospyrolide

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Activities

Diospyros maritima has 24 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic, Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial, Anticancer.

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

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

Conditions

Diospyros maritima has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include hepatoma.

Hepatoma

1. Planta medica

Preparations

Diospyros maritima has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts of two Diospyros maritima bark samples, heartwood.

Extracts of two diospyros maritima bark samples

1. Journal of natural products

Heartwood

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin