Horsfieldia kingii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Palala kingii
• Horsfieldia tetratepala
• Myristica kingii
• Horsfieldia hainanensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Magnoliales, falling into the family Myristicaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Horsfieldia, to which the species Horsfieldia kingii belongs.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across several specific regions in Asia. Within China, its distribution extends through South-Central China and the Southeast regions. It is also documented to grow natively on the island of Hainan. Moving into the Indian Subcontinent, the species can be found in the state of Assam. Additionally, its range includes the neighboring country of Bangladesh.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Horsfieldia kingii is characterized by its specific vertical distribution within montane ecosystems, where it occupies a distinct altitudinal niche. This species is primarily found at mid-to-high elevations, maintaining a specialized habitat preference within a defined range. It typically thrives at a minimum elevation of 800 m AMSL, with its distribution ascending to a maximum altitude of 1200 m AMSL. The ecological center of its habitat is concentrated around a mean elevation of 1000 m AMSL, suggesting that its physiological requirements and reproductive success are optimized within this specific environmental stratum.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

800 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Horsfieldia kingii is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its natural habitat over multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived woody species, it avoids the rapid turnover seen in annuals or biennial plants, instead investing energy into robust structural growth and sustained reproductive capabilities. Throughout its extended lifespan, the plant undergoes various stages of development, transitioning from seedling establishment to mature vegetative growth, eventually reaching a stage of reproductive maturity where it can produce flowers and seeds periodically. This perennial nature enables the species to maintain a stable presence within its ecological niche, adapting to seasonal environmental shifts through long-term physiological resilience.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Horsfieldia kingii is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically categorized as a tree. This species exhibits a self-supporting habit, functioning without the need to be an obligatory or facultative climber, such as a liana or vine. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a maximum height of 10 m, with a minimum height of 6 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 8 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

8 m

Plant height min:

6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological development of the foliage in Horsfieldia kingii is characterized by significant morphological variability in leaf dimensions, which plays a crucial role in its photosynthetic capacity and resource acquisition. The leaves exhibit a substantial range in length, with a mean measurement of 41.5 cm, extending from a minimum of 28 cm to a maximum of 55 cm. This longitudinal variation is complemented by a robust width profile, where the leaf width maintains a mean of 18.5 cm, fluctuating between a minimum of 15 cm and a maximum of 22 cm. Such expansive leaf surface areas, particularly when reaching the upper limits of their growth potential, suggest a highly efficient adaptation for light interception within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

55 cm

Leaf length mean:

41.5 cm

Leaf length min:

28 cm

Leaf width max:

22 cm

Leaf width mean:

18.5 cm

Leaf width min:

15 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Horsfieldia kingii is characterized by the development of distinct fruit structures that vary in physical dimensions and texture. The fruits exhibit a specific size range, with lengths spanning from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 4.5 cm, resulting in an average fruit length of 4.25 cm. In terms of consistency, the fruit is described as dry rather than fleshy. Within these fruits, the seeds play a vital role in propagation, maintaining a highly consistent volume. The seed volume is recorded at a uniform 7600 mm³, which serves as both the minimum, maximum, and mean value for the species, indicating a high degree of standardization in seed size during the reproductive cycle.

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

4.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

4.25 cm

Fruit length min:

4 cm

Seed volume max:

7600 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Horsfieldia kingii has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 9-octadecenoic acid, Copaene.

9-octadecenoic acid

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Copaene

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials