December-tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• December-tree
• erythrina

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Corallodendron holosericeum
• Hypaphorus subumbrans
• Hypaphorus subumbrans var. inermis
• Erythrina sumatrana
• Erythrina lithosperma var. armata
• Erythrina mysorensis
• Corallodendron sumatranum
• Erythrina lithosperma
• Erythrina lithosperma var. inermis
• Erythrina holosericea
• Corallodendron lithospermum
• Erythrina hypaphorus
• Hypaphorus subumbrans var. aculeata

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. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is positioned in the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Erythrina and the specific species Erythrina subumbrans.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several distinct regions in Asia. In China, it can be specifically found within the South-Central area. Its presence extends throughout the Indian Subcontinent, where it is native to India, Sri Lanka, and Assam. Furthermore, the species is located within the Indo-China region, specifically on the Andaman Islands. These diverse locations highlight the broad geographical range of Erythrina subumbrans.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Erythrina subumbrans is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years through successive growing seasons. This longevity is complemented by its deciduous growth habit, meaning the plant undergoes a seasonal cycle where it sheds its foliage, typically in response to dry periods or specific environmental cues, before regenerating new leaves.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Erythrina subumbrans is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine. In terms of stature, the species exhibits significant vertical development, with a recorded mean plant height of 20 m and a maximum height reaching up to 15 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Erythrina subumbrans is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency under standard environmental conditions. As a member of the Fabaceae family, this species exhibits a specialized symbiotic relationship with rhizobial bacteria, functioning as a nitrogen fixer to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, thereby enhancing its nutrient uptake and growth in nitrogen-poor soils.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Erythrina subumbrans is driven by complex biological interactions, primarily characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome. The plant relies heavily on animal vectors for successful fertilization, specifically exhibiting a strong affinity for bird pollination, which serves as a primary mechanism for pollen transfer. This specialized relationship with birds underscores the plant's reliance on living organisms rather than abiotic factors to ensure genetic exchange. Following successful fertilization, the dispersal of its progeny is facilitated through an anemochorous syndrome, where seeds or reproductive structures are distributed via wind mechanisms to colonize new areas.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Pollination syndrome :

bird

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Erythrina subumbrans has 2 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 seed, stem.

Seed

1. Acta anthropogenetica

Stem

1. OncoTargets and therapy

Chemicals

Erythrina subumbrans has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5-Hydroxysophoranone, Abyssinone V, Erybraedin A, Erycristagallin, Erystagallin A.

5-Hydroxysophoranone

1. Journal of natural products

Abyssinone V

1. Journal of natural products

Erybraedin A

1. Journal of natural products

Erycristagallin

1. Journal of natural products

Erystagallin A

1. Journal of natural products

Erythrabyssin II

1. Journal of natural products

Hydroxycristacarpone

1. Journal of natural products

Lectin

1. Acta anthropogenetica

Lupeol

1. Journal of natural products

Sophoradiol

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Erythrina subumbrans has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial.

Antidiabetic

1. Heliyon

Antimicrobial

1. Heliyon

Conditions

Erythrina subumbrans has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antidiabetic, breast cancer, cancer, cervical cancer.

Antidiabetic

1. Heliyon

Breast cancer

1. OncoTargets and therapy

Cancer

1. OncoTargets and therapy

Cervical cancer

1. OncoTargets and therapy

Preparations

Erythrina subumbrans has 3 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include bark, seeds, stem bark.

Bark

1. Journal of natural products

Seeds

1. Acta anthropogenetica

Stem bark

1. OncoTargets and therapy