Argus pheasant-tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Argus pheasant-tree
• Argus pheasant tree
• New Guinea walnut
• Pacific walnut
• paldao

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dracontomelon edule
• Dracontomelon lamujo
• Dracontomelon cumingianum
• Dracontomelon mangiferum var. pubescens
• Dracontomelon puberulum
• Dracontomelon sylvestre
• Paliurus dao
• Paliurus edulis
• Paliurus lamujo
• Comeurya cumingiana
• Poupartia mangifera
• Poupartia pinnata
• Dracontomelon mangiferum var. puberulum
• Dracontomelon mangiferum
• Dracontomelon laxum
• Dracontomelon brachyphyllum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Dracontomelon dao, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Sapindales. Furthermore, it is a member of the family Anacardiaceae and falls under the genus Dracontomelon.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. Within China, it can be found growing in both the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically inhabiting Bangladesh and the East Himalaya region. Additionally, the species is located within the Indo-China area, including the Andaman Islands. Together, these locations highlight the diverse natural habitats where the plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Dracontomelon dao is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth patterns and ecological positioning, the plant is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting the traits of both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, which indicates that its perennating buds are located high above the ground on aerial stems or branches.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Dracontomelon dao is characterized by its robust growth form, primarily developing as a woody tree. This species exhibits a significant stature, reaching an average plant height of 25 m, with the potential to attain a maximum height of up to 36 m. Unlike climbing species that may function as lianas or vines, this plant is categorized as self-supporting rather than an obligatory or facultative climber. Furthermore, it maintains a terrestrial habit, distinguishing it from epiphytic life forms such as holoepiphytes or hemiepiphytes.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Plant height max:

36 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of the Dracontomelon dao is characterized by a specialized metabolic framework designed for efficient resource utilization in tropical environments. As a plant utilizing the C3 photosynthetic pathway, its carbon fixation process involves the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate by the enzyme RuBisCO, a mechanism that is highly effective in shaded or temperate forest understories but requires careful management of photorespiration in high-light conditions. Furthermore, in terms of nutrient acquisition and symbiotic relationships, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available soil nitrates and ammonium rather than establishing symbiotic associations with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to fulfill its nitrogen requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Dracontomelon dao 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. African journal of infectious diseases

Chemicals

Dracontomelon dao has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids.

Flavonoids

1. AMB Express

Activities

Dracontomelon dao has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimicrobial.

Antibacterial

1. African journal of infectious diseases

Antimicrobial

1. AMB Express

Conditions

Dracontomelon dao has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include MRSA, infectious diseases, skin ulcers.

Mrsa

1. African journal of infectious diseases

Infectious diseases

1. AMB Express

Skin ulcers

1. AMB Express

Preparations

Dracontomelon dao has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include stem bark extracts.

Stem bark extracts

1. African journal of infectious diseases