Diospyros sumatrana

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions of Southeast Asia. Within the Indo-China peninsula, it can be found growing in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand. Beyond the mainland, its range extends into the Malesian region. Specifically, it is documented as occurring on the island of Borneo. Together, these locations highlight the plant's presence across both continental and island ecosystems.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Diospyros sumatrana is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located high above the ground on woody branches. Within this category, its growth habit is specifically identified through two distinct designations: it functions as both a phanerophyte (Life_form_1) and a phanerophyte (Life_form_2), reflecting its perennial nature and its ability to maintain significant biomass through elevated woody structures. This life strategy allows the plant to survive seasonal fluctuations by protecting its vital regenerative tissues in elevated, woody stems, ensuring its persistence within its ecological niche over multiple growing seasons.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Diospyros sumatrana is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 30 meters. As a terrestrial organism, it functions as an independent species, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic lifestyle, and is neither aquatic nor semiaquatic. The plant exhibits a self-supporting growth habit, distinguishing it from climbers, vines, or lianas, and relies on its robust, woody structure for stability.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Diospyros sumatrana is primarily defined by its metabolic efficiency and carbon assimilation processes, specifically utilizing the C3 photosynthetic pathway. As a C3 plant, its carbon fixation occurs through the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) by the enzyme RuBisCO, resulting in the immediate formation of a three-carbon compound, 3-phosphoglycerate. This physiological mechanism implies that the plant conducts its primary photosynthetic activities during daylight hours with open stomata, making its gas exchange and water-use efficiency highly dependent on ambient humidity and temperature levels to mitigate photorespiration. The metabolic regulation of this species is integrated with its transpiration rates, where the coordination between stomatal conductance and the C3 cycle governs its growth patterns and biomass accumulation within its natural habitat.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Diospyros sumatrana 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 sumatrana 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