Indian Ash Tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Indian Ash Tree
• Indian Ash

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Odina gummifera
• Odina pinnata
• Haberlia grandis
• Calesiam grande
• Dialium coromandelinum
• Calsiama malabarica
• Lannea grandis
• Spondias wirtgenii
• Lannea wodier
• Spondias oghigee
• Tapirira wodier
• Wirtgenia octandra
• Odina wodier
• Odina wodier var. wirtgenii

Regional and Traditional Names

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. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized into the order Sapindales and the family Anacardiaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Lannea, specifically as the species Lannea coroamandelica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread geographical distribution across parts of Asia. In China, it can be found specifically within the South-Central and Southeast regions. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it grows in Assam. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit the country of Bangladesh. Finally, its range reaches into the Eastern Himalayan region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lannea coroandmelica is defined by a broad altitudinal distribution that allows it to inhabit a diverse array of landscapes. This species is found across a significant vertical gradient, with its presence spanning from low-lying areas starting at a minimum elevation of 130 m AMSL to higher montane reaches reaching a maximum of 1800 m AMSL. Throughout its natural range, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 965 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-elevation ecological zones while retaining the physiological adaptability to survive both lowland tropical environments and higher, cooler altitudes.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

965 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

130 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Lannea coroemandlica is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain a continuous presence within its ecological niche. As a deciduous plant, it undergoes a seasonal cycle of shedding its foliage, a process typically synchronized with environmental shifts to conserve resources and survive periods of physiological stress. This combination of a long-term perennial lifecycle and a deciduous growth habit enables the plant to adapt to its specific habitat by managing its metabolic activity and structural integrity across varying annual cycles.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lannea coroandelicam is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which can reach an average height of approximately 8 meters. It is a terrestrial species, meaning it grows on land rather than in aquatic or semi-aquatic environments, and it functions as an independent organism without acting as a parasite. In terms of its structural support and climbing habits, the plant is classified as self-supporting, lacking the characteristics of a liana, vine, or obligatory climber. Furthermore, it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lannea coroandmelica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. Morphologically, the plant features ovate leaf forms with entire margins, notably lacking any leaf thorns or spines. Structural integrity is supported by a stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 490 mg/cm³, reflecting its wood density and mechanical properties. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on external soil nitrogen availability for its nutritional requirements.

Leaf form :

ovate

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

490 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lannea coroandelicus is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and specialized fruit development. The flowering period typically commences in March and concludes in June, though the timing can be variable throughout the year. During the reproductive phase, the plant does not exhibit self-fertilization, as the trait is noted to be absent, suggesting a reliance on cross-pollination. Following fertilization, the plant produces fruit categorized as a drupe, which is characterized by its indehiscent nature, meaning the fruit does not split open at maturity to release its contents. The seeds produced within these fruits vary in size, with a recorded minimum seed mass of 0.09434 g, a mean mass of 0.11317 g, and a maximum mass of 0.132 g. Dispersal of the seeds is facilitated via an anemochorous syndrome, where wind serves as the primary mechanism for transporting the reproductive units to new locations.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit type :

drupe

Seed mass max:

0.132 g

Seed mass mean:

0.11317 g

Seed mass min:

0.09434 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lannea coromandelica has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of natural medicines

Chemicals

Lannea coromandelica has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-epigallocatechin 3-gallate, CATECHIN, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Gallic acid, caffeic acid.

(-)-epigallocatechin 3-gallate

1. International journal of molecular sciences

CATECHIN

1. International journal of molecular sciences

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Gallic acid

1. International journal of molecular sciences

caffeic acid

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Activities

Lannea coromandelica has 4 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antinociceptive, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Antidiabetic

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Antinociceptive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of natural medicines

Medicinal Uses

Lannea coromandelica has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include breast cancer, colon cancer, dysentery, gastric cancer, heart disease.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations