Irvingia malayana

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Irvingella malayana
• Irvingella oliveri
• Irvingella harmandiana
• Irvingia oliveri

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 positioned in the order Malpighiales and the family Irvingiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identification is placed within the genus Irvingia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the diverse landscapes of the Indo-China region. Within this territory, it can be found growing throughout the country of Cambodia. Its natural habitat also extends into the forested areas of Laos and Myanmar. Furthermore, the species is commonly documented within the borders of Thailand. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant is completed by its presence in Vietnam.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Irvingia malayana is characterized by its classification as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, specifically categorized under both phanerophyte life forms, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated structures, typically manifesting as a woody tree or large shrub. This life form ensures its survival by keeping its buds well above the ground level. Furthermore, the species exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally, which supports continuous metabolic activity and structural stability within its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Irvingia malayana is characterized by a robust growth form, primarily functioning as a large tree. This woody species is capable of reaching a significant stature, with a plant height that averages and reaches a maximum of 40 m. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is classified as self-supporting, exhibiting a growth pattern that does not rely on climbing or liana-like behavior. It is a terrestrial plant, lacking any epiphytic qualities such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The overall architecture is defined by its substantial woody composition, which supports its impressive vertical development within its habitat.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

40 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Irvingia malayana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in varying environmental conditions. As a C3 plant, it utilizes the enzyme Rubisco to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide directly into a three-carbon compound during the Calvin cycle, a process that typically optimizes resource use in temperate to tropical climates but may face limitations in high-temperature or arid settings. Furthermore, this species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms; consequently, it relies on the uptake of available nitrogenous compounds, such as nitrates and ammonium, directly from the soil to support its metabolic functions and growth.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Irvingia malayana is characterized by the development of fruits that possess a fleshy texture upon reaching maturity. Within these fruits, the seeds exhibit significant morphological variation in size, with seed volumes ranging from a minimum of 8,300 mm³ to a maximum of 9,600 mm³. The average seed volume for this species is recorded at 8,950 mm³, reflecting a specific structural investment during the reproductive cycle to ensure successful propagation.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed volume max:

9600 mm³

Seed volume mean:

8950 mm³

Seed volume min:

8300 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Irvingia malayana has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include betulinic acid.

betulinic acid

1. Planta medica

Conditions

Irvingia malayana has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include malaria, metastasis.

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Metastasis

1. Planta medica

Preparations

Irvingia malayana has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanol extracts.

Methanol extracts

1. Planta medica