Beechwood

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Gmelina arborea var. canescens
• Gmelina arborea f. dentata
• Gmelina arborea var. glaucescens
• Gmelina sinuata
• Gmelina oblongifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Gmelina.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans across several major tropical and subtropical regions. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in countries such as Benin, Gambia, and Guinea. Moving toward the eastern part of the continent, it is also found within the Northeast Tropical Africa region, specifically covering Sudan and South Sudan. Beyond Africa, the species extends its reach into East Asia. In this part of the world, it can be located within the South-Central regions of China.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Gmelina arborea is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution that allows it to inhabit diverse topographical landscapes. It is found across a wide elevational gradient, ranging from low-lying areas at a minimum of 30 m AMSL to significant upland regions reaching a maximum of 1700 m AMSL. On average, the species thrives at a mean elevation of approximately 270 m AMSL, suggesting a primary ecological preference for lowland to mid-elevation tropical or subtropical environments. This wide vertical range indicates a high degree of adaptability to varying temperature regimes and atmospheric pressures encountered across different mountain profiles.

Elevational range max:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

270 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

30 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Gmelina arborea is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem over multiple years. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated structures, typically forming a substantial woody stature that allows it to dominate its niche. Its physiological cycle is defined by a deciduous nature, meaning it undergoes a period of seasonal leaf shedding, which is an essential adaptation for managing moisture and energy during specific climatic intervals. This combination of a long-lived perennial lifecycle and a phanerophyte life form allows the plant to establish a robust, perennial presence within its habitat.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Gmelina arborea is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which reaches significant dimensions with a height ranging from a minimum of 10 m to a mean of 25 m. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently in its habitat rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is structurally self-supporting, lacking the climbing habits of vines or lianas, and maintains a robust, woody constitution throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

25 m

Plant height min:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Gmelina arborea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits specific leaf economics, with a consistent Leaf Dry Matter Content (LDMC) of 330.7 mg/g and a Specific Leaf Area (SLA) maintained at 134.0222 cm²/g, indicating a uniform structural investment in leaf tissue density and surface area. Its structural integrity is further supported by a stem specific density (SSD) of 538 mg/cm³, reflecting its wood density and mechanical properties. Additionally, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external soil nitrogen availability rather than symbiotic nitrogen-fixing mechanisms for its nutritional requirements.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

330.7 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

134.0222 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

538 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Gmelina arborea is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects such as bees to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The species exhibits an absence of self-fertilization, necessitating cross-pollination to ensure genetic diversity. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces dry fruits that contain seeds dispersed through a zoochorous syndrome, meaning they are distributed by animals. The seeds themselves vary in size, with a length ranging from a minimum of 15 mm to a maximum of 30 mm, and a consistent seed volume of 560 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds are relatively substantial, with a mean seed mass of 0.92337 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.741 g to a maximum of 1.41665 g.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

dry

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

30 mm

Seed length min:

15 mm

Seed mass max:

1.41665 g

Seed mass mean:

0.92337 g

Seed mass min:

0.741 g

Seed volume max:

560 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Gmelina arborea has 5 reported plant parts identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, flower, stem, fruit.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products
2. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Current microbiology

Root

1. Fitoterapia
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Current microbiology

Flower

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Current microbiology

Stem

1. Current microbiology
2. Ancient science of life

Fruit

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Gmelina arborea has 22 reported phytochemicals identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Martynoside, 4,8-Dihydroxysesamin, 6-O-alpha-L-Rhamnopyranosylcatalpol, Arboreol, Betulin.

Martynoside

1. Journal of natural products
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

4,8-Dihydroxysesamin

1. Journal of infection and public health

6-O-alpha-L-Rhamnopyranosylcatalpol

1. Journal of natural products

Arboreol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gmelanone

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gmelinol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gummadiol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hentriacontanol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Gmelina arborea has 29 reported activities identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, AntiHIV, Anticancer, Anticarcinomic, Antifeedant.

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antihypertensive

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antioxidant

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Gmelina arborea has 24 reported medicinal uses identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include fever, inflammation, SARS-CoV-2, antidiabetic, antihypertensive.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations