golden Malay beam

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• golden Malay beam

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Alfaropsis roxburghiana
• Alfaroa roxburghiana
• Engelhardia wallichiana var. chrysolepis
• Engelhardia polystachya
• Engelhardia roxburghiana f. brevialata
• Engelhardia spicata var. formosana
• Engelhardia unijuga
• Juglans pterococca
• Engelhardia pterococca
• Engelhardia wallichiana
• Engelhardia fenzlii
• Engelhardia formosana
• Engelhardia chrysolepis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized into the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fagales. Finally, it is a member of the family Juglandaceae and falls under the genus Engelhardia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be found throughout the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. Its presence also extends to the island of Taiwan within Eastern Asia. Furthermore, the species is documented within the Indian Subcontinent, specifically in the Assam region. Together, these locations highlight the diverse habitats where the plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Engelhardia roxburghiana is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain a long-term presence within its natural ecosystem. Throughout its extended lifespan, the plant exhibits an evergreen growth habit, retaining its foliage to facilitate continuous physiological processes. This combination of a perennial lifecycle and evergreen nature enables the species to establish a stable and enduring ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Engelhardia roxburgiana is characterized by its substantial growth form, functioning as a large, woody tree that reaches a significant mean plant height of approximately 28 m. As a terrestrial organism, it is neither aquatic nor semiaquatic, nor does it function as an epiphyte. The plant is an independent species, meaning it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, and it is entirely self-supporting rather than acting as a liana, vine, or any other form of climber.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

28 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Engelhardia roxburgiana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a carbon fixation process typical of many woody forest species. The leaf morphology is defined by an elliptic form with an entire margin, notably lacking any structural defenses such as leaf thorns or spines. In terms of leaf resource allocation and structure, the plant exhibits a Specific Leaf Area (SLA) with a consistent value of approximately 145.4467796 cm²/g across its minimum, mean, and maximum measurements, reflecting its specific leaf mass distribution. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on external soil nutrient availability for its metabolic requirements.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

145.4467796 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Engelhardia roxburgiana is characterized by an abiotic pollination syndrome, relying on non-living environmental factors rather than biotic vectors for the transfer of pollen. Specifically, the plant utilizes wind as its primary pollination mechanism, a common trait among many members of its genus that ensures genetic exchange through anemophily. This reliance on wind-driven movement is reflected in its reproductive strategy, where the pollen is dispersed through the air to reach receptive female flowers. The reproductive process is governed by these abiotic forces, distinguishing it from plants that depend on insects, birds, or bats for fertilization.

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Engelhardia roxburghiana has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Astilbin, Engeletin, Flavonoids, Isoengeletin, Steroids.

Astilbin

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Engeletin

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Flavonoids

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Isoengeletin

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Steroids

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

kaempferol

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

naringenin

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

quercetin

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

quercitrin

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

triterpenoids

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Engelhardia roxburghiana has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include atherosclerosis, cancer, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia.

Most Reported Uses