broad leaved cherry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Broad Leaved Native Cherry
• Broad-leaved Ballart
• broad leaved cherry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Exocarpos floribundus
• Exocarpos miniatus
• Exocarpos ovatus
• Sarcocalyx miniatus
• Xylophyllos latifolius
• Canopus luzonensis
• Exocarpos luzonensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Santalales and the family Santalaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Exocarpos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to the diverse tropical regions of the Malesia botanical zone. Its geographical range includes the large island of Borneo, where it thrives in specific forest habitats. It is also widely distributed across Jawa and throughout the various islands of the Lesser Sunda archipelago. Furthermore, the species can be found within the Maluku islands, extending its presence across the Indonesian maritime landscape. Finally, its distribution reaches northward into the Philippines, marking a broad coverage across Southeast Asia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Exocarpos latifolius is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish long-term presence within its ecosystem. As a perennial, the plant undergoes multiple reproductive cycles over several years, rather than completing its life cycle in a single growing season like annuals or biennial species. This enduring lifecycle enables the plant to develop extensive root systems and robust woody structures, contributing to its stability and ability to persist through varying environmental conditions. Through its sustained growth pattern, Exocarpos latifolius maintains its biological continuity, investing energy into long-term survival and periodic reproductive efforts that define its ecological role.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Exocarpos latifolius is characterized by a woody growth form that exhibits versatility, manifesting as both a tree and a shrub. This plant is strictly terrestrial, existing as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, it is a self-supporting species that reaches a maximum plant height of 10 m, with a mean height of approximately 10 m and a minimum height of 1.5 m. Unlike climbing vines or lianas, its structure is entirely self-supporting, maintaining a stable woody architecture within its terrestrial habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

10 m

Plant height min:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Exocarpos latifolius is characterized by specific morphological dimensions and nutritional strategies that define its vegetative development. The plant's foliar structure exhibits significant variability in size, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 7 cm. Accompanying this longitudinal variation is a corresponding width profile, where leaves measure between a minimum of 2 cm and a maximum of 4 cm in width. In terms of its metabolic interaction with soil nutrients, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, and must instead rely on the uptake of available nitrogen from the substrate to support its physiological processes.

Leaf length max:

7 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Exocarpos latifolius is characterized by the development of a specific fruit type and a particular method of seed dispersal. The plant produces a fruit classified as a drupe, which typically consists of a fleshy outer part surrounding a single hard shell or stone that contains the seed. Regarding the release of its seeds, the fruit is indehiscent, meaning it does not split open at maturity to release its contents; instead, the seeds remain enclosed within the fruit structure until it decays or is consumed by fauna.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Fruit type :

drupe

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Exocarpos latifolius 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. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Chemicals

Exocarpos latifolius has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Antioxidant Activity, Flavonoids, Saponins.

Antioxidant Activity

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Flavonoids

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Saponins

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Activities

Exocarpos latifolius has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Medicinal Uses

Exocarpos latifolius has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include wounds.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations