Indian coffee plum

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Indian-plum
• greater krekup
• runeala-plum
• Indian plum

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rumea jangomas
• Stigmarota jangomas
• Xylosma borneensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Malpighiales, falling within the family Salicaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus name, Flacourtia, as part of the species Flacourtia jangomas.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions in Africa and the Indian Ocean. In East Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in both Kenya and Tanzania. Its presence extends further into the Western Indian Ocean islands. Specifically, it is documented in Mauritius and Réunion. Additionally, the species is also located within the Seychelles.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Flacourtia jangomas is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution that spans from sea level to significant elevations. It thrives across a diverse topographic gradient, with a minimum elevation of 0 m AMSL, allowing it to inhabit lowland environments. The species reaches its maximum recorded elevation at 1000 m AMSL, indicating an ability to adapt to varying montane conditions. On average, the plant is typically found at a mean elevation of 750 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-elevation ecological niches within its native range.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

750 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Flacourtia jangomas is characterized by its existence as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem over many years. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a life form that enables it to achieve significant structural height. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, undergoing seasonal cycles where it sheds its foliage, a strategy often associated with managing water availability or adapting to seasonal climatic shifts. This combination of a long-lived perennial lifecycle, a phanerophyte growth habit, and deciduous foliage defines its developmental trajectory and ecological presence.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Flacourtia jangomas is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which typically reaches an average height of 10 meters. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently in its environment without functioning as an epiphyte or a parasite, maintaining a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. Its physical development is defined by a sturdy, woody habit that allows it to stand firmly as a self-supporting organism in its native habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Flacourtia jangomas is characterized by its robust metabolic processes adapted to tropical and subtropical environments, facilitating efficient growth and resource acquisition. As a woody perennial, its physiological framework relies on a complex vascular system for the transport of water, minerals, and photosynthetic products throughout its canopy. Regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the plant does not possess a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its root nodules; therefore, it is not a nitrogen fixer. Consequently, its nitrogen metabolism is entirely dependent on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system rather than through biological nitrogen fixation. The plant utilizes standard C3 photosynthetic pathways to convert light energy into chemical energy, driving the synthesis of organic compounds necessary for its structural development and the production of its characteristic drupes.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Flacourtia jangomas 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. 3 Biotech

Chemicals

Flacourtia jangomas has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flacourtin, Methyl caffeate.

Flacourtin

1. Heliyon

Methyl caffeate

1. Heliyon

Conditions

Flacourtia jangomas has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include pain.

Pain

1. Heliyon

Preparations

Flacourtia jangomas has 4 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include dried coarse plant powder, methanol extracts from the bark, methanolic extract of Flacourtia jangomas (MEFJ), organic leaf extract.

Dried coarse plant powder

1. Heliyon

Methanol extracts from the bark

1. Heliyon

Methanolic extract of flacourtia jangomas (mefj)

1. Heliyon

Organic leaf extract

1. 3 Biotech