Eusideroxylon zwageri

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is a valuable medicinal species found within the diverse ecosystems of the Malesia region. Its natural habitat is primarily concentrated across the large islands of Southeast Asia. Specifically, its distribution includes the island of Borneo, where it thrives in tropical environments. Additionally, the species can be found growing throughout Sumatera. These specific locations define the core geographical range of this important botanical resource.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Eusideroxylon zwageri is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain a long-term presence within its natural forest ecosystems. As an evergreen plant, it does not undergo a seasonal shedding of its foliage, ensuring continuous photosynthetic activity and a stable canopy structure throughout the year. This combination of a perennial lifecycle and evergreen deciduousness contributes to its ability to establish itself as a dominant, long-lived component of the tropical timberlands in which it grows.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Eusideroxylon zwageri is characterized by a robust, woody growth form, functioning primarily as a large tree. It reaches significant dimensions, with an average plant height of approximately 35 m. Unlike climbing species, it is classified as a self-supporting plant, lacking the characteristics of a liana or vine. Furthermore, it is a terrestrial species rather than an epiphyte, growing directly from the ground as a stable, self-sustaining woody structure.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Plant height mean:

35 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Eusideroxylon zwageri is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common mechanism in tropical hardwood species where carbon fixation occurs via the Calvin cycle during daylight hours. As a non-nitrogen-fixing plant, it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, meaning it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to support its metabolic processes and structural development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Eusideroxylon zwageri is characterized by the production of fleshy fruits that serve as the primary vessel for seed dispersal. The seeds within these fruits are notably large and substantial, maintaining a consistent seed mass of exactly 28.571 g. This uniformity in mass is matched by a highly stable seed volume, which remains constant at a mean, maximum, and minimum value of 38,000 mm³. The fruit itself is described as having a fleshy texture, providing the necessary biological structure to protect and eventually release these heavy, voluminous seeds into the environment.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed mass mean:

28.571 g

Seed volume max:

38000 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Eusideroxylon zwageri 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 seed.

Seed

1. Journal of natural medicines

Preparations

Eusideroxylon zwageri has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanol extracts.

Methanol extracts

1. Journal of natural medicines