Indian Olive

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Indian Olive
• Rugged Oil-Fruit

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cordia dubiosa
• Elaeocarpus lobbianus
• Elaeocarpus rigidus
• Elaeocarpus ramosii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Oxalidales. Finally, it is a member of the family Elaeocarpaceae and the genus Elaeocarpus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct tropical regions. Within the Western Indian Ocean, it is specifically found in Mauritius. Its presence extends significantly into the Indian Subcontinent, where it inhabits Assam, Bangladesh, and the East Himalaya. Furthermore, the species can be located within the Indo-China region, specifically around the Andaman Islands. Together, these locations highlight the diverse environmental range of Elaeocarpus floribundus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Elaeocarpus floribundus is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and present year-round rather than shedding seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Elaeocarpus floribundus is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which functions as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or vine. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking any epiphytic qualities. This species reaches significant dimensions in the forest canopy, typically attaining an average plant height of 25 meters, with the potential to reach a maximum height of up to 30 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Elaeocarpus floribundus is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle without the specialized carbon-concentrating mechanisms found in C4 or CAM species. This metabolic process dictates its carbon assimilation efficiency and water-use strategies within its natural habitat. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, thus relying instead on the uptake of available nitrates and ammonium from the soil to satisfy its nutritional requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Elaeocarpus floribundus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Natural product research
2. Food & function

Chemicals

Elaeocarpus floribundus has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Epifriedelanol, Fatty acids, Fatty alcohols, Friedelin, Gallic acid.

Epifriedelanol

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Fatty acids

1. Natural product research

Fatty alcohols

1. Natural product research

Friedelin

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Gallic acid

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Mearnsitrin

1. Food & function

Myricitrin

1. Food & function

Phytosterol

1. Natural product research

Sesquiterpene

1. Natural product research

mearnsetin

1. Food & function

Activities

Elaeocarpus floribundus has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antimicrobial

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Antioxidant

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Medicinal Uses

Elaeocarpus floribundus has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Parkinson's disease.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations