Macaranga denticulata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rottlera glauca
• Macaranga pustulata
• Tanarius paniculatus
• Tanarius denticulatus
• Macaranga chatiniana
• Tanarius gmelinifolius
• Tanarius chatinianus
• Macaranga gummiflua
• Macaranga gmelinifolia
• Tanarius pustulatus
• Macaranga henricorum
• Tanarius perakensis
• Macaranga perakensis
• Macaranga denticulata var. pustulata
• Mappa denticulata
• Mappa truncata
• Mappa chatiniana
• Mappa wallichii
• Mappa gummiflua

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malpighiales, it is classified under the family Euphorbiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Macaranga, specifically as the species Macaranga denticulata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across several distinct regions of Asia. Within China, its presence is noted in the South-Central areas as well as the Southeast provinces. It is also found in the tropical environment of Hainan and the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Moving beyond China, the species extends its range into the Indian Subcontinent. Specifically, it can be located within the lush landscapes of Assam.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Macaranga denticulata is defined by its significant altitudinal adaptability, allowing it to occupy diverse ecological niches across varying terrain. This species demonstrates a broad vertical distribution, thriving at elevations ranging from a minimum of 50 m AMSL to a maximum of 2100 m AMSL. With a mean elevational range of approximately 1137.5 m AMSL, the plant is well-suited to a variety of montane and sub-montane environments, adjusting its growth and survival strategies to accommodate the changing climatic conditions and pressure gradients found throughout this extensive elevational gradient.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1137.5 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

50 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Macaranga denticulata is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over multiple years. It exhibits a phanerophyte life form, possessing significant stem development that elevates its foliage above the ground, while it can also be categorized under the nanophanerophyte classification depending on the specific growth stage and environmental conditions. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and present across various seasons rather than shedding all leaves annually.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Macaranga denticulata is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, functioning as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or liana. It is a terrestrial species that grows independently, lacking parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant vertical development, with heights ranging from a minimum of 3 meters to a maximum of 12 meters, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 9.67 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Plant height mean:

9.66666666666667 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Macaranga denticulata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits significant morphological variability in its foliage, with leaves typically reaching a mean length of 18.25 cm and a minimum length of 10 cm, though they can extend to a maximum length of 30 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width varies from a minimum of 9 cm to a mean of 17 cm, with a maximum observed width of 28 cm. Structurally, the plant possesses a stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 532 mg/cm³, reflecting its internal tissue composition and mechanical strength. Furthermore, Macaranga denticulata does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external soil nitrogen sources rather than symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria to meet its nutritional requirements.

Leaf length max:

30 cm

Leaf length mean:

18.25 cm

Leaf length min:

10 cm

Leaf width max:

28 cm

Leaf width mean:

17 cm

Leaf width min:

9 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

532 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Macaranga denticulata is characterized by a specialized fruiting process and specific pollination requirements. The plant does not undergo self-fertilization, as the trait is noted to be absent, necessitating cross-pollination. The resulting fruit is classified as a dry capsule that is dehiscence, meaning it splits open at maturity to release its contents. These capsules exhibit varying dimensions, with a mean length of 0.35 cm (ranging from a minimum of 0.3 cm to a maximum of 0.5 cm) and a mean width of 0.6 cm (ranging from 0.5 cm to 0.8 cm). Seed dispersal follows an anemochorous syndrome, where seeds are primarily spread by the wind. The seeds themselves are quite small and lightweight, possessing a mean mass of 0.02914 g, with a range spanning from 0.029 g to 0.02928 g. In terms of physical space, the seed volume varies between a minimum of 6.1 mm³ and a maximum of 7.2 mm³, maintaining a mean volume of 6.65 mm³.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.35 cm

Fruit length min:

0.3 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

0.8 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.6 cm

Fruit width min:

0.5 cm

Seed mass max:

0.02928 g

Seed mass mean:

0.02914 g

Seed mass min:

0.029 g

Seed volume max:

7.2 mm³

Seed volume mean:

6.65 mm³

Seed volume min:

6.1 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Macaranga denticulata 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 root.

Root

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

Chemicals

Macaranga denticulata has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Compound-4, Daucosterol, Gheddic acid, Maslinic acid, scopoletin.

Compound-4

1. Fitoterapia

Daucosterol

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

Gheddic acid

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

Maslinic acid

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

scopoletin

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

Conditions

Macaranga denticulata has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Zika virus.

Zika virus

1. Fitoterapia