Garcinia tetralata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is primarily found within a specific regional range in East Asia. Its documented geographical distribution is concentrated in the South-Central part of China. Within this area, it thrives in the unique environmental conditions provided by the local climate. This localized presence makes it a significant component of the regional flora in those provinces. Consequently, its natural habitat is closely tied to the ecological landscapes of South-Central China.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Garcinia tetralatta is defined by its specific altitudinal niche within its native habitat, where it thrives within a precise elevational band. This species is typically found in montane environments, maintaining an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 800 m AMSL to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL. Within this specialized vertical distribution, the plant reaches its mean elevation of 900 m AMSL, suggesting a strong adaptation to the specific temperature, moisture, and atmospheric conditions characteristic of these mid-to-high altitude tropical or subtropical forest zones.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

800 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Garcinia tetralatta is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, meaning it maintains its physiological functions and structural integrity over many years. As a long-lived species within its ecosystem, it does not follow the rapid turnover seen in annual or biennial plants but instead invests significant energy into establishing a robust, woody framework capable of sustained growth and reproduction across multiple seasons. This perennial lifecycle allows the plant to develop extensive root systems and a stable canopy, enabling it to endure environmental fluctuations and participate in long-term ecological processes within its habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Garcinia tetralata is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a tree. This species exhibits a significant height range, with individual plants typically reaching a minimum height of 5 m, an average height of approximately 10 m, and a maximum height of up to 15 m. Although its structure is primarily that of a tree, its growth habit is classified as self-supporting.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Plant height min:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of Garcinia tetralatta are notably defined by its leaf morphology, which plays a critical role in its metabolic and photosynthetic processes. The foliage exhibits significant variability in dimensions, with leaf lengths typically ranging from a minimum of 8 cm to a mean of 10.5 cm, reaching a maximum extent of 13 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation is a specific width profile, where leaf widths fluctuate between a minimum of 3 cm and a maximum of 6 cm, maintaining an average width of 4.5 cm. These morphological parameters suggest a specialized surface area optimization, likely adapted to manage gas exchange and light interception within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

13 cm

Leaf length mean:

10.5 cm

Leaf length min:

8 cm

Leaf width max:

6 cm

Leaf width mean:

4.5 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Garcinia tetralata 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. Natural product research

Preparations

Garcinia tetralata has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanol extract.

Ethanol extract

1. Natural product research
2. Journal of Asian natural products research