Diospyros wallichii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning across several key regions in Asia. Within the Indo-China region, its presence is documented in both Myanmar and Thailand. Moving toward the Malesia zone, the species can be found inhabiting the island of Borneo. It is also widely distributed throughout the Malay Peninsula, commonly referred to as Malaya. Finally, the plant's range extends further south to include the island of Sumatera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Diospyros wallichii is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located high above the ground on woody branches, ensuring survival through seasonal environmental shifts. Within this classification, it exhibits specific growth strategies categorized as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, indicating that while it typically develops as a substantial woody plant, its stature and bud positioning can vary depending on its ecological niche and resource availability. As a perennial woody species, its life cycle is defined by continuous growth and the maintenance of elevated meristematic tissues, allowing it to dominate its habitat and endure various climatic stresses.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Diospyros wallichii is characterized by its robust, woody growth form, primarily functioning as a tree that can reach a maximum plant height of 20 m. While it possesses characteristics associated with climbing habits, such as being a self-supporting liana or vine, it maintains a structural independence as a non-parasitic, independent organism. It is a terrestrial species rather than an epiphyte, establishing its root system in the ground to support its significant stature and woody architecture.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Diospyros wallichii is characterized by a metabolic framework consistent with the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and water-use efficiency. As a C3 plant, it utilizes the enzyme Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) to directly fix atmospheric carbon dioxide into three-carbon organic compounds during the Calvin cycle. This biochemical mechanism implies that the plant undergoes carbon assimilation primarily during daylight hours when stomata are open, making its gas exchange and transpiration rates highly sensitive to environmental factors such as light intensity, temperature, and humidity. The reliance on the C3 pathway suggests that while the plant is efficient in temperate or shaded forest understories, its physiological performance and water consumption are closely linked to the availability of moisture and the management of photorespiration under high-temperature stress.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Diospyros wallichii 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 wallichii 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