gin berry

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Glycosmis arborea
• Glycosmis rigida
• Glycosmis pentaphylla subvar. chinensis
• Myxospermum chylocarpum
• Murraya lobata
• Sclerostylis pentaphylla
• Sclerostylis timoriensis
• Limonia arborea
• Limonia angustifolia
• Glycosmis chylocarpa
• Chionotria monogyna
• Chionotria rigida
• Glycosmis arborea var. linearifoliolata
• Glycosmis pentaphylla var. linearifoliolis
• Glycosmis madagascariensis
• Glycosmis quinquefolia
• Glycosmis retzii

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Glycosmis pentaphyllla, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Sapindales. Finally, it is a member of the family Rutaceae and falls under the genus Glycosmis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of locations across the Asian continent. Within the country of China, it can be specifically found in the South-Central regions. Its presence is also significant across the Indian Subcontinent, spanning from the state of Assam to the broader territories of India. Furthermore, the species is distributed throughout the East Himalaya mountain range. Finally, its geographical reach extends into the neighboring nation of Bangladesh.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Glycosmis pentaphyllos is characterized by its specific adaptation to mid-elevation tropical and subtropical environments, typically thriving within a distinct altitudinal belt. This species is most commonly found occupying habitats at elevations ranging from a minimum of 300 m AMSL to a maximum of 600 m AMSL. Within this specific topographical range, the plant integrates into the forest structure, often favoring moist, well-drained soils found in deciduous or semi-evergreen forest ecosystems. Its distribution is closely tied to these moderate elevations, which provide the necessary moisture levels and temperature gradients required for its growth and seasonal development.

Elevational range max:

600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Glycosmis pentaphyllia is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to maintain a long-term presence within its ecological niche. Throughout its developmental stages, it exhibits an evergreen habit, ensuring that it retains its foliage year-round rather than undergoing seasonal shedding. This combination of a perennial lifecycle and evergreen deciduousness enables the species to sustain continuous vegetative growth and provide stable habitat and food sources within its natural environment.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Glycosmis pentaphyllas is characterized by its woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub or a small tree that can reach a mean height of approximately 3 meters. As a terrestrial plant, it grows independently without relying on a host, functioning as a non-parasitic species. The plant exhibits a self-supporting structure, meaning it does not require climbing mechanisms such as vines or lianas to maintain its upright posture. Its overall development is defined by its sturdy, woody texture and a growth habit that is strictly terrestrial rather than aquatic or epiphytic.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Glycosmis pentaphyllas is characterized by its metabolic processes and nutritional strategies typical of evergreen shrubs in the Rutaceae family. The plant engages in standard photosynthetic pathways to convert solar energy into chemical energy, supporting its dense foliage and woody structure. Regarding its nutrient acquisition, the plant does not possess the specialized symbiotic relationships required for atmospheric nitrogen assimilation, meaning it is not a nitrogen fixer; therefore, its nitrogen uptake is entirely dependent on the availability of nitrates and ammonium ions within the soil medium. Its physiological vigor is closely tied to soil moisture levels and the presence of micronutrients, which facilitate the synthesis of various secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, that are characteristic of its chemical profile.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Glycosmis pentaphyllas is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms rather than abiotic factors like wind or water to facilitate genetic exchange. This process is characterized by a complex interaction with various animal vectors, specifically categorized under a general insect pollination syndrome. Within this ecological framework, the plant utilizes specialized interactions with bees as a primary pollination mechanism, ensuring the transfer of pollen between flowers to achieve successful fertilization and subsequent seed development.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Glycosmis pentaphylla has 3 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf, stem.

Root

1. Journal of chromatography. A
2. Natural product research

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Stem

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Glycosmis pentaphylla has 25 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Arborinine, CORONARIDINE, Carbalexin A, Dictamine, Flavonoid.

Arborinine

1. Natural product research

CORONARIDINE

1. Natural product research

Carbalexin A

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Dictamine

1. Natural product research

Flavonoid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Glycozolidine

1. Natural product research

Glycozoline

1. Natural product research

Kokusaginine

1. Journal of chromatography. A

Lupeol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

N-P-Coumaroyltyramine

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Activities

Glycosmis pentaphylla has 3 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Cytotoxic, Hepatoprotective.

Anticancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hepatoprotective

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Conditions

Glycosmis pentaphylla has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include breast cancer, bronchitis, cancers, hepatocellular carcinoma, jaundice.

Breast cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Bronchitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cancers

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hepatocellular carcinoma

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Jaundice

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rheumatism

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Skin diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Glycosmis pentaphylla has 16 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Ethanol extract, Glycosmis arborea extract, Glycosmis arborea ointment (10%), active extract, active fractions.

Ethanol extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Glycosmis arborea extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Glycosmis arborea ointment (10%)

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Active extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Active fractions

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Alcoholic extract

1. Natural product research

Butanol extract

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Ethanolic extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fruit extracts

1. Journal of chromatography. A

Hexane extract

1. Journal of chromatography. A