Gmelina asiatica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions of Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it is commonly found in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Its presence also extends into the Indo-China region, specifically reaching the Andaman Islands. Furthermore, the species can be identified growing in Cambodia. Together, these locations highlight the diverse habitats where the plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Gmelina asiatica is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain a long-term presence in its natural habitat. In terms of its structural development and ecological positioning, the plant exhibits a dual classification of life forms; it is primarily categorized as a phanerophyte, as its buds are borne on aerial shoots well above the ground, facilitating significant vertical growth. Additionally, it can be described through its nanophanerophyte characteristics, reflecting specific growth patterns where its woody structures provide a stable, long-lived architecture suitable for diverse environmental conditions.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Gmelina asiatica is characterized by a woody growth form, typically manifesting as a shrub. It is categorized as a terrestrial plant, functioning as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is self-supporting, exhibiting a growth pattern that does not rely on climbing or obligate liana mechanisms. It is not an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence rather than growing upon other vegetation.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Gmelina asiatica has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf.

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Fitoterapia

Leaf

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Conditions

Gmelina asiatica has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include breast cancer, cervical cancer, lymphoma.

Breast cancer

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Cervical cancer

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Lymphoma

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Preparations

Gmelina asiatica has 1 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extracts of roots.

Ethanolic extracts of roots

1. Fitoterapia