Swamp Box

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Swamp Box
• Swamp Mahogany
• Swamp Turpentine
• paperbark-mahogany
• swamp terpentine
• swamp-box
• swamp-mahogany
• water-gum

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tristania suaveolens
• Lophostemon depressus
• Tristania salicifolia
• Tristania rhytiphloia
• Tristania suaveolens var. glabrescens
• Melaleuca suaveolens

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is placed in the order Myrtales and the family Myrtaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Lophostemon, specifically identified as the species Lophostemon suaveolens.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range spanning across parts of Oceania and Australia. Within the region of Papuasia, it can be found growing in New Guinea. Its distribution also extends into the Australian continent, specifically covering the state of New South Wales. Furthermore, the species is documented to inhabit various areas throughout Queensland. Collectively, these locations define the natural habitat where this medicinal plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Lophostemon suaveolenis is characterized by its perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located on aerial shoots well above the soil surface, a structural strategy that defines its primary life form. This species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally. These combined traits—its long-lived perennial nature, its elevated phanerophyte growth habit, and its consistent evergreen state—dictate its ecological presence and survival strategies within its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lophostemon suaveolens is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, reaching an average height of approximately 15 m. As a terrestrial organism, it does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, maintaining an independent existence rather than functioning as a parasite. Structurally, the plant is self-supporting, lacking the climbing habits of lianas or vines, and relies on its sturdy, woody framework to maintain its stature within its ecosystem.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lophostemon suaveolens is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant's vegetative structure is defined by its leaf morphology, with individual leaves typically measuring between 9 cm and 15 cm in length and maintaining a width ranging from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 5 cm. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil nutrient availability rather than symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria to satisfy its nutritional requirements.

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length min:

9 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width min:

4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lophostemon suaveolens is characterized by a specific phenological cycle and biotic pollination mechanisms. The flowering period typically begins in October and continues through December, though the timing can be variable. The plant relies on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically utilizing insects as primary pollinators, with bees playing a significant role in the reproductive process. The resulting seeds are notably minute, exhibiting a mean mass of approximately 0.00067 g. Individual seed weights fluctuate within a range from a minimum of 0.00005 g to a maximum of 0.00129 g.

Flowering time :

Oct

Flowering time :

Dec

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.00129 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00067 g

Seed mass min:

5e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lophostemon suaveolens 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Natural product research

Chemicals

Lophostemon suaveolens has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aromadendrene, Eucalyptin, Spathulenol, betulinic acid.

Aromadendrene

1. Natural product research

Eucalyptin

1. Natural product research

Spathulenol

1. Natural product research

betulinic acid

1. Natural product research

Conditions

Lophostemon suaveolens has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Streptococcus pyogenes, wounds.

Staphylococcus aureus

1. BMC research notes
2. Natural product research

Candida albicans

1. BMC research notes

Streptococcus pyogenes

1. Natural product research

Wounds

1. BMC research notes

Preparations

Lophostemon suaveolens has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous and aqueous ethanolic extracts.

Aqueous and aqueous ethanolic extracts

1. BMC research notes