Common mahang

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Common mahang

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pachystemon trilobus
• Macaranga cornuta
• Tanarius cornutus
• Macaranga quadricornis
• Ricinus trilobus
• Tanarius trilobus

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. It is further classified within the order Malpighiales and the family Euphorbiaceae. Specifically, the species Macaranga triloba is a member of the genus Macaranga.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions in Southeast Asia. Within the Indo-China region, it can be found growing in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand. Its presence in the Indo-China zone also extends to the Nicobar Islands. Furthermore, the species is distributed within the Malesia region, specifically occurring on the island of Borneo. Together, these locations highlight the plant's diverse habitat across diverse tropical territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Macaranga triloba is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located high above the ground on aerial shoots. Within this classification, it specifically exhibits traits consistent with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte growth strategies, indicating a perennial existence where its vital organs are protected on woody stems or branches. This life form allows the plant to persist through varying environmental conditions by maintaining its regenerative capacity in elevated, structurally supported tissues. As a perennial woody species, its developmental cycle involves the establishment of these aerial buds, which facilitate continuous growth and survival across successive growing seasons, distinguishing it from shorter-lived life forms like therophytes or hemicryptophytes.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Macaranga triloba is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 12 m. It functions as an independent organism, maintaining a non-parasitic life strategy, and is classified as a terrestrial plant rather than an aquatic or semiaquatic species. While it lacks the climbing habits of a liana or vine, the plant is strictly self-supporting in its structural development and does not exhibit epiphytic tendencies, remaining firmly terrestrial throughout its life cycle.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Macaranga triloba is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation strategies. Morphologically, its vegetative structures reflect specialized adaptations for light interception and gas exchange, featuring large leaves with a mean length of 36.3 cm and a mean width of 33.9 cm. These expansive leaf surfaces are supported by a relatively delicate structural composition, evidenced by a mean leaf thickness of 0.013 mm, which facilitates efficient photosynthetic activity within its ecological niche.

Leaf length mean:

36.3 cm

Leaf thickness mean:

0.013 mm

Leaf width mean:

33.9 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Macaranga triloba is characterized by the production of highly uniform, minute seeds that facilitate its dispersal and establishment. These seeds exhibit a consistent mass, with a mean, minimum, and maximum value all recorded at 0.015 g, indicating a very stable seed weight within the population. In terms of physical dimensions, the seeds are exceptionally small, featuring a mean length of 0.4 mm. Their structural morphology is further defined by a maximum width of 0.4 mm and a maximum height of 0.3 mm, contributing to their delicate and diminutive profile.

Seed height max:

0.3 mm

Seed length mean:

0.4 mm

Seed mass mean:

0.015 g

Seed width max:

0.4 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Macaranga triloba 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. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Macaranga triloba has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3,7,3',4'-tetramethylquercetin, 3,7-Dimethylquercetin, 3-epi-taraxerol, 3beta-hydroxy-24-ethylcholest-5-en-7-one, ABSCISIC ACID.

3,7,3',4'-tetramethylquercetin

1. Phytochemistry

3,7-Dimethylquercetin

1. Phytochemistry

3-epi-taraxerol

1. Phytochemistry

3beta-hydroxy-24-ethylcholest-5-en-7-one

1. Phytochemistry

ABSCISIC ACID

1. Phytochemistry

LOLIOLIDE

1. Phytochemistry

Taraxerol

1. Phytochemistry

ferulic acid

1. Phytochemistry

scopoletin

1. Phytochemistry

Medicinal Uses

Macaranga triloba has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations