Goniothalamus giganteus

Goniothaalamus giganteus, commonly known as the Giant Elephant Ear, is a significant medicinal plant found in tropical rainforests. Renowned for its large, heart-shaped leaves, it holds immense ethnobotanical value. Traditional healers utilize various parts of this plant to treat diverse ailments, including inflammation, skin infections, and digestive issues.

  • Scientific name: Goniothalamus giganteus
  • Family: Annonaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Tropical

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Goniothalamus giganteus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Magnoliales. It is further categorized into the family Annonaceae and the genus Goniothalamus.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Magnoliales WCVP
Family Annonaceae WCVP
Genus Goniothalamus WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Goniothalamus giganteus, is recognized by various regional common names depending on the linguistic context. In English, it is frequently referred to as the Giant Goniothalamus, while in Malay, it is known as Pokok Kuning. In the local dialects of the region, such as Tamil, it is called Karunthala, and in Malayalam, it is referred to as Karunthala.
Language Common Name Source

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several key regions within the Indo-China and Malesia botanical zones. In the Indo-China region, its presence is documented in both Myanmar and Thailand. Moving into the Malesia zone, the species can be found inhabiting the areas of Malaya. Additionally, its geographical reach extends to the island of Sumatera. Together, these locations define the specific tropical range where this medicinal species thrives.

Region Area Source
Indo-China Myanmar WCVP
Indo-China Thailand WCVP
Malesia Malaya WCVP
Malesia Sumatera WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Goniothalamus giganteus, is a species valued for its therapeutic properties, which are primarily derived from its vegetative structures. The medicinal components are often concentrated within the stem bark, which contains various bioactive compounds used in traditional applications. Furthermore, the bark of the plant serves as a critical source for extracting these essential phytochemicals, making it a vital part of the plant's pharmacological profile.
Total parts
2
Scientific sources
4
Plant Part Sources Confidence
stem bark 2 ★☆☆☆☆
bark 2 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Goniothalamus giganteus has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include goniothalamicin, 7-epi-goniofufurone, 9-deoxygoniopypyrone, Gigantecin, Gigantetronenin.

Total chemicals
13
Scientific sources
14

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
goniothalamicin 2 ★☆☆☆☆
7-epi-goniofufurone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
9-deoxygoniopypyrone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Gigantecin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Gigantetronenin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Goniotetracin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Goniotricin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
acetogenin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
annomontacin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
annonacin 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Goniothalamus giganteus has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimitotic, Cytotoxic.

Total activities
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antimitotic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Goniothalamus giganteus has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include astrocytoma, tumor cell lines.

Total uses
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
astrocytoma 1 ★☆☆☆☆
tumor cell lines 1 ★☆☆☆☆