Parasol leaf tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• blush macaranga
• david's-heart
• hairy-mahogany
• heartleaf
• nasturtium-tree
• parasol-leaf-tree
• Elephant's Ear
• Macaranga
• bingabing

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rottlera tanarius
• Croton laccifer
• Mappa tomentosa
• Ricinus tanarius
• Rottlera tomentosa
• Mappa tanarius
• Macaranga molliuscula
• Macaranga tanarius var. glabra
• Macaranga tanarius var. tomentosa

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, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Macaranga.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across various parts of Asia. In Eastern Asia, its presence is noted in the Nansei-shotto islands and throughout Taiwan. The species can also be found within Southeast China. Its range extends into the Indo-China region, specifically encompassing Myanmar. Additionally, the plant is documented growing within the Andaman Islands.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Genetics

The genetics of Macaranga tanarius are characterized by a specific chromosomal constitution that defines its reproductive biology and evolutionary lineage. The plant possesses a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 22, a fundamental cytogenetic value that serves as a key marker for its taxonomic identification within the Euphorbiaceae family. This genetic blueprint governs the inheritance patterns of various morphological and phytochemical traits, facilitating the complex regulatory mechanisms required for its rapid growth and specialized secondary metabolism. The stability of this karyotype is essential for successful meiosis and ensures the genetic continuity of the species across diverse tropical habitats.

Chromosome number :

22

Life history

The life history of Macaranga tanarius is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem over multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive buds are elevated on aerial stems, allowing it to establish a significant structural presence within its habitat. This species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, retaining its foliage throughout much of its life cycle to facilitate continuous photosynthetic activity. Its biological strategy as a phanerophyte further supports its ability to compete for light and resources within its typical environmental niches.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Macaranga tanarius is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that is entirely terrestrial in its habitat. This plant is an independent organism, functioning as a non-parasitic species that does not rely on a host for nutrients. In terms of its physical stature, it exhibits significant vertical development, with a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 10 meters, though it can reach a mean height of approximately 15 meters. Structurally, it is a self-supporting species rather than a climber, liana, or vine, maintaining its upright stature through its woody composition.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Macaranga tanarius is characterized by specific morphological dimensions and metabolic processes that support its growth. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway to convert light energy into chemical energy, a common trait among many tropical woody species. Its foliage exhibits significant variation in size, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 8 cm to a maximum of 30 cm, while leaf widths fluctuate between a minimum of 8 cm and a maximum of 20 cm. Regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil rather than through symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Leaf length max:

30 cm

Leaf length min:

8 cm

Leaf width max:

20 cm

Leaf width min:

8 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Macaranga tanarius is characterized by a dioecious sexual system, meaning that self-fertilization is absent. The pollination process is categorized as abiotic, specifically utilizing a wind pollination syndrome. Once fertilization occurs, the plant produces dry, dehiscent fruits classified as capsules. These capsules typically range in length from 1 cm to a maximum of 1.2 cm. The resulting seeds are relatively small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.030418 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.016536 g to a maximum of 0.0443 g) and a consistent seed volume of 23 mm³. Following maturation, the plant employs a zoochorous dispersal syndrome to spread its seeds throughout its environment.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

1.2 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction sexual :

dioecious

Seed mass max:

0.0443 g

Seed mass mean:

0.030418 g

Seed mass min:

0.016536 g

Seed volume max:

23 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Macaranga tanarius 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. Narra J
2. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Macaranga tanarius has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-Nymphaeol C, Flavonoids, Tanariflavanone A, Tanarifuranonol, Terpenoids.

(-)-Nymphaeol C

1. Journal of natural products

Flavonoids

1. Narra J

Tanariflavanone A

1. Journal of natural products

Tanarifuranonol

1. Journal of natural products

Terpenoids

1. Narra J

polyphenols

1. Narra J

tanariflavanone B

1. Journal of natural products

tanariflavanone C

1. Journal of natural products

tanariflavanone D

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Macaranga tanarius has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include SARS-CoV-2.

Sars-cov-2

1. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Macaranga tanarius has 5 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Macaranga, Macaranga extracts, fallen leaves, leaf extracts, leaves.

Macaranga

1. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)

Macaranga extracts

1. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)

Fallen leaves

1. Journal of natural products

Leaf extracts

1. Narra J

Leaves

1. Journal of natural products