Indian-buttertree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Indian-buttertree
• Indian butter tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Illipe butyracea
• Madhuca butyracea
• Aesandra butyracea
• Bassia butyracea
• Mixandra butyracea
• Vidoricum butyraceum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ericales, falling into the family Sapotaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Diploknema, and species name, butyracea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, its presence is specifically noted within the high-altitude terrain of Tibet. Moving into the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found in the lush landscapes of Assam. It is also widely distributed throughout the East Himalaya and the West Himalaya regions. Finally, its geographical range extends into the mountainous territory of Nepal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Diploknemma butyracea is characterized by its specific vertical distribution within montane ecosystems, where it occupies a distinct altitudinal niche. This species is primarily found within a specialized elevational range that begins at 800 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 1400 m AMSL. This mid-altitude positioning suggests an adaptation to the specific temperature gradients, moisture availability, and atmospheric pressures found within these sub-montane to montane transitions. By thriving within this 600-meter elevational belt, the plant occupies a stable environmental zone that likely dictates its seasonal phenology and its interaction with surrounding biotic and abiotic components of its habitat.

Elevational range max:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

800 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Diploknemma butyracea is characterized by its existence as a perennial species, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs at a significant height above the ground, a growth form that can be further categorized as a phanerophyte to describe its structural strategy. Furthermore, it exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal biological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Diploknemma butyracea is characterized by a robust growth form, primarily categorized as a tree. This species exhibits a significant stature, reaching an average plant height of approximately 22.5 m. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is classified as self-supporting, functioning as a liana or vine that does not require external host support for its upright growth. It is a woody species, possessing a firm, lignified structure that supports its substantial height. Furthermore, the plant is an independent organism rather than a parasite, and it maintains a terrestrial life habit, growing directly in the soil rather than as an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

22.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Diploknemma butyracea is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes and resource acquisition strategies adapted to its native tropical environments. As a woody perennial, its physiological framework supports robust growth through efficient photosynthetic pathways and a well-developed vascular system designed for the transport of nutrients and water. Regarding its interaction with soil chemistry, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, typically found in leguminous species, and therefore relies on the uptake of mineralized nitrogen from the soil rather than atmospheric fixation. Its nutrient cycling is primarily driven by the decomposition of organic matter in its habitat, which provides the necessary nitrogenous compounds for protein synthesis and cellular development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Diploknemma butyracea is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit significant individual variation in weight. On average, the seed mass for this species is 8.3175 g, representing a central tendency within its reproductive output. The data indicates a specific range of seed sizes, with the minimum recorded seed mass being 7.22 g and the maximum recorded seed mass reaching up to 10.4 g. This variation in seed mass suggests a degree of plasticity in the energetic investment made during the development of each seed.

Seed mass max:

10.4 g

Seed mass mean:

8.3175 g

Seed mass min:

7.22 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Diploknema butyracea 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 seed.

Seed

1. Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)

Chemicals

Diploknema butyracea has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, FAT, Glycosides, Tannins, Terpenoids.

Flavonoids

1. Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)
2. TheScientificWorldJournal

FAT

1. Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)

Glycosides

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Tannins

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Terpenoids

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

ascorbic acid

1. Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)

Activities

Diploknema butyracea has 4 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antifungal.

Antioxidant

1. Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)
2. TheScientificWorldJournal

Analgesic

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Antibacterial

1. Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)

Antifungal

1. Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)

Conditions

Diploknema butyracea has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include asthma, rheumatism, skin, ulcer.

Asthma

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Rheumatism

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Skin

1. Plant-environment interactions (Hoboken, N.J.)

Ulcer

1. TheScientificWorldJournal