Homalium ceylanicum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Homalium minutiflorum
• Homalium hainanense
• Homalium laoticum
• Homalium bhamoense
• Homalium balansae
• Homalium ceylanicum var. debbarmanii
• Homalium ceylanicum var. laoticum
• Homalium ceylanicum subsp. minutiflorum
• Homalium crenulatum
• Homalium ciliatum
• Homalium laoticum var. glabratum
• Homalium bhamoense var. debbarmanii
• Homalium bhamoense f. glabra
• Blakwellia tetrandra
• Blakwellia ceylanica

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 is categorized under the order Malpighiales and the family Salicaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in the genus Homalium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. Within China, it is found in the South-Central areas as well as the Southeast provinces. Its presence is also noted in the tropical environment of Hainan and the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Beyond China, the species extends into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically inhabiting the state of Assam. Together, these locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in various ecological zones.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Homalium ceylanicum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist and maintain its structure through multiple growing seasons. Throughout its development, it exhibits an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains present and functional without the seasonal shedding of leaves typical of deciduous species.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Homalium ceylanicum is characterized by a large, woody tree growth form that functions as an independent organism. It is a terrestrial species, neither aquatic nor epiphytic, and is classified as a self-supporting plant rather than a liana or vine. The tree exhibits significant structural scale, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 6 meters to a maximum of 40 meters, maintaining an average height of approximately 25 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

40 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Plant height min:

6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Homalium ceylanicum is characterized by distinct structural and metabolic properties, notably regarding its biomass composition and nutrient acquisition strategies. In terms of its structural density, the plant exhibits a Stem Specific Density (SSD) with a calculated mean value of 829.5 mg/cm³, indicating a relatively dense wood structure that supports its physical integrity and growth patterns. Regarding its metabolic interactions with the soil environment, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil through its root system rather than through symbiotic associations with diazotrophic bacteria.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

829.5 mg/cm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Homalium ceylanicum has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include homaloside D, vacciniin.

homaloside D

1. Journal of natural products

vacciniin

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Homalium ceylanicum has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include n-BuOH fraction.

N-buoh fraction

1. Journal of natural products