Kayea assamica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Vatica imbricata
• Mesua assamica

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Kayea assamica, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Malpighiales and the family Calophyllaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Kayea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it is primarily found in the state of Assam. Its range extends further into the Indo-China region, where it is documented in Myanmar. Additionally, the species is present within the Malesia zone, specifically located in Malaya. These varied locations highlight the plant's presence across diverse subtropical environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Kayea assamica is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 23 meters. As an independent species, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior and functions as a terrestrial organism, rather than being aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic. The structure is self-supporting, lacking the climbing or liana-like characteristics of vines, and is defined by its permanent woody composition.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

23 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Kayea assamica is fundamentally defined by its carbon fixation strategy, utilizing a C3 photosynthetic pathway to facilitate energy production. In this metabolic process, the plant captures atmospheric carbon dioxide through its stomata, where the enzyme RuBisCO directly incorporates CO2 into a three-carbon molecule during the Calvin cycle. This C3 mechanism is characteristic of many woody tropical species, allowing the plant to optimize gas exchange and light harvesting within its specific ecological niche. The efficiency of this physiological pathway is closely tied to the plant's water-use strategies and its ability to manage photorespiration under varying environmental light intensities and temperatures.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Kayea assamica is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit a highly consistent physical profile. The reproductive output of this species yields seeds with a uniform seed mass, where the mean seed mass is recorded at 25 g. This uniformity is reflected in the extreme narrowness of its size distribution, as both the maximum and minimum recorded seed mass values are also exactly 25 g. Such consistency in seed mass suggests a stabilized reproductive strategy within its ecological niche, ensuring that each seed carries a standardized amount of nutrient reserves for germination.

Seed mass mean:

25 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Kayea assamica 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 flower.

Flower

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

Chemicals

Kayea assamica has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,7-Dihydroxyxanthone, 2-Hydroxyxanthone, 5-Hydroxy-1-methoxyxanthone.

1,7-Dihydroxyxanthone

1. Phytochemistry

2-Hydroxyxanthone

1. Phytochemistry

5-Hydroxy-1-methoxyxanthone

1. Phytochemistry

Conditions

Kayea assamica has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

Preparations

Kayea assamica has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 70% EtOH extract of the flower, bark.

70% etoh extract of the flower

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

Bark

1. Phytochemistry