Dipterocarpus gracilis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several key regions across South and Southeast Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, its presence is specifically noted in the state of Assam and throughout Bangladesh. The species also extends into the Indo-China region, where it can be found inhabiting the Andaman Islands. Furthermore, its range includes the forested landscapes of Myanmar. Finally, the distribution reaches into Cambodia, completing its broad ecological footprint across these territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dipterocarpus gracilis is closely defined by its specific altitudinal distribution within its native habitat. This species is primarily found across a diverse elevational gradient, occupying lowland to mid-elevation landscapes. Its ecological niche spans from a minimum elevation of 240 m AMSL to a maximum height of 800 m AMSL, with the species most frequently occurring at a mean elevation of approximately 520 m AMSL. This vertical range suggests an adaptation to specific temperature and moisture regimes characteristic of these middle-altitude zones.

Elevational range max:

800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

520 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

240 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Dipterocarpus gracilis is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons to complete its developmental stages. Throughout its lifespan, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and present year-round rather than undergoing seasonal shedding.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Dipterocarpus gracilis is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which can reach a significant plant height with a mean of approximately 40 m. It functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite and is categorized as a terrestrial plant, rather than being aquatic or an epiphyte. In terms of its structural support and climbing habit, the plant is self-supporting, exhibiting neither liana nor vine-like tendencies.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

40 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Dipterocarpus gracilis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant's vegetative morphology includes leaves that possess a mean length of 15 cm, providing the necessary surface area for light interception and gas exchange. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, Dipterocarpus gracilis does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil through its root system.

Leaf length mean:

15 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Dipterocarpus gracilis is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit a notable range of physical dimensions. The seed mass within this species shows significant variability, with a recorded mean mass of 4.8015 g. This variation is further evidenced by the distribution between the smallest and largest recorded specimens, where the seed mass ranges from a minimum of 1.27 g to a maximum of 8.333 g.

Seed mass max:

8.333 g

Seed mass mean:

4.8015 g

Seed mass min:

1.27 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Dipterocarpus gracilis 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

Dipterocarpus gracilis 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