Goniothalamus griffithii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Magnoliales and the family Annonaceae. Finally, it is specifically identified by the genus Goniothalamus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Goniothalamus griffithii, exhibits a specific geographical range within the Indo-China region. Its natural habitat spans across several distinct territories in Southeast Asia. Specifically, it can be found growing within the Andaman Islands. The species is also distributed throughout the country of Myanmar. Additionally, its presence extends into the tropical landscapes of Thailand.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Goniothalamus griffithii is closely tied to its specific altitudinal distribution within its native habitat. This species thrives within a distinct montane environmental niche, occupying an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 800 m AMSL. It extends upward through various forest strata, reaching a maximum elevation of 1500 m AMSL. The plant is most frequently encountered at a mean elevation of approximately 1150 m AMSL, suggesting that its optimal physiological conditions and ecological functions are most effectively realized within this mid-to-high altitude belt.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1150 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

800 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Goniothalamus griffithii is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem over many growing seasons rather than completing a single reproductive cycle. Throughout its lifespan, it maintains a consistent vegetative presence as an evergreen species, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and green year-round without the seasonal shedding associated with deciduous plants.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Goniothalamus griffithii is characterized by its stature as a tree, reaching an average height of approximately 8 m. It exhibits a woody structure, providing the necessary mechanical strength for its growth form. Unlike climbing species that require external support, this plant is classified as self-supporting, maintaining its upright arboreal habit independently.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Plant height mean:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Goniothaalamus griffithii is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a metabolic strategy optimized for temperate or shaded environments where carbon fixation occurs primarily through the Calvin cycle. The leaf morphology plays a critical role in its resource management, featuring elliptic leaf forms with entire margins and a complete absence of protective structures such as thorns or spines. The foliage displays significant dimensional variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 20 cm to a mean of 26 cm, reaching a maximum of 32 cm, while leaf widths vary between 5.5 cm and 8.5 cm. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a consistent Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of approximately 142.51 cm²/g, a physiological metric that reflects its leaf thickness and investment in photosynthetic tissue relative to its dry mass, influencing its efficiency in light interception and nutrient use.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

32 cm

Leaf length mean:

26 cm

Leaf length min:

20 cm

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

8.5 cm

Leaf width min:

5.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

142.5126659 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Goniothaalamus griffithii culminates in the development of its characteristic fruit, which exhibits highly consistent morphological dimensions. The fruit is characterized by a uniform length and width, with the mean, minimum, and maximum length all measuring 1.5 cm. Similarly, the width of the fruit remains constant across its developmental range, with the minimum, mean, and maximum width all recorded at 0.8 cm. This lack of variance in the fruit's dimensions suggests a highly standardized reproductive output for the species.

Fruit length max:

1.5 cm

Fruit width max:

0.8 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Goniothalamus griffithii 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 rhizome.

Rhizome

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Chemicals

Goniothalamus griffithii has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include GONIODIOL, (+)-ISOALTHOLACTONE, 7-Acetylgoniodiol, 9-Deoxygoniopypyrone, ALTHOLACTONE.

GONIODIOL

1. Journal of Asian natural products research
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

(+)-ISOALTHOLACTONE

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

7-Acetylgoniodiol

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

9-Deoxygoniopypyrone

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

ALTHOLACTONE

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Goniothalamin

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Goniothalenol

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Goniotriol

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Conditions

Goniothalamus griffithii has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include tumors.

Tumors

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology