Phalsa

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• phalsa

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Grewia subinaequalis
• Grewia hainesiana
• Grewia asiatica var. pierrei

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malvales, it is classified under the family Malvaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Grewia and the species Grewia asiatica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning several distinct regions. Within the Western Indian Ocean, its presence is noted in Mauritius and Réunion. Moving toward Western Asia, the species can be found growing in Iran. The Indian Subcontinent also hosts this medicinal plant, specifically within the region of Assam. Finally, its distribution extends to include parts of Bangladesh.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Grewia asiaatica is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish long-term presence within its ecological niche through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial, it undergoes continuous developmental cycles that contribute to its structural longevity and resilience. In terms of its seasonal foliage patterns, the plant is deciduous, meaning it undergoes a period of leaf shedding, typically in response to seasonal shifts or environmental stressors, before regenerating new foliage during its active growth phases.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Grewia asiaica is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, reaching a mean and maximum plant height of approximately 4 m. It is a terrestrial species that functions as a self-supporting plant, exhibiting an independent lifestyle without acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. As a woody taxon, it possesses a robust structural framework consistent with its shrubby habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Grewia asiaetica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency within its natural habitat. As a C3 plant, it utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide, a mechanism that is typically most efficient in environments with moderate temperatures and sufficient moisture. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to meet its nutritional requirements for growth and development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Grewia asiaatica is primarily achieved through the production of seeds contained within small, fleshy drupes that facilitate dispersal. The reproductive output is characterized by a highly consistent seed morphology, where the seed mass remains uniform across specimens. Specifically, the seed mass exhibits a mean value of 0.0499 g, which is reflected in both the maximum and minimum recorded measurements of 0.0499 g. This lack of variance in seed mass suggests a stabilized reproductive strategy, ensuring that each seed carries a predictable amount of nutrient reserves to support early seedling development upon germination.

Seed mass mean:

0.0499 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Grewia 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 fruit, root.

Fruit

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. International journal of reproductive biomedicine

Root

1. Ancient science of life

Chemicals

Grewia asiatica has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Tannins, Anthocyanins, Betulin, D-glucose.

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Medicinal chemistry (Shariqah (United Arab Emirates))

Tannins

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Medicinal chemistry (Shariqah (United Arab Emirates))

Anthocyanins

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

D-glucose

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Phenols

1. Medicinal chemistry (Shariqah (United Arab Emirates))

nitric oxide

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Activities

Grewia asiatica has 18 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Cytotoxic, Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Anticarcinomic.

Analgesic

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. Ancient science of life

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Biological research

Anthelmintic

1. Biological research

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antimicrobial

1. Medicinal chemistry (Shariqah (United Arab Emirates))

Antioxidant

1. Medicinal chemistry (Shariqah (United Arab Emirates))

Conditions

Grewia asiatica has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, emesis, hypertension, inflammation, oxidative stress.

Cancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Emesis

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Hypertension

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Inflammation

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Oxidative stress

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Pain

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Rheumatism

1. Ancient science of life

Preparations

Grewia asiatica has 4 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extract of Grewia asiatica (AEGA) of the bark, fruit extracts, fruit pulp extracts, methanolic extract.

Aqueous extract of grewia asiatica (aega) of the bark

1. Ancient science of life

Fruit extracts

1. International journal of reproductive biomedicine

Fruit pulp extracts

1. International journal of reproductive biomedicine

Methanolic extract

1. Ancient science of life