Champa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Michelia champaca
• Michelia tsiampacca var. champaca

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Magnoliales, falling within the family Magnoliaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by its genus, Magnolia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across several significant regions. In the Indian Subcontinent, it is notably found within the area of Assam. Its distribution extends into China, specifically covering the South-Central regions and Tibet. Furthermore, the species is present in the Western Indian Ocean, where it can be located in Mauritius. Finally, its reach includes the island of Réunion within the same oceanic territory.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Magnolia champaca is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level up to an elevation of 2300 m AMSL. It is typically found in tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, where it prefers well-drained, fertile soils and environments with high humidity and consistent rainfall. The species plays a significant role in forest ecosystems, often occupying various successional stages and contributing to the structural complexity of the canopy. Its distribution is closely tied to warm, humid climates, allowing it to inhabit both lowland plains and higher montane regions within its established elevational range.

Elevational range max:

2300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Magnolia champaca is characterized by its existence as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive shoots are elevated well above the ground, typically manifesting as a large, woody tree. This growth habit is maintained through an evergreen deciduousness, meaning the plant retains its foliage throughout the year, providing continuous photosynthetic activity and structural stability.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Magnolia champaca is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree, which typically reaches a mean height of 20 m, though it can grow to a maximum height of 50 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial life habit. The plant is an independent organism, meaning it does not act as a parasite, and it is a self-supporting structure rather than a climber, liana, or vine. Its growth form is consistently that of a large tree, supported by a robust, woody stem architecture.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

50 m

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Magnolia champaca is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The vegetative structure is defined by its foliage, where leaves exhibit significant morphological variation; specifically, the leaf length typically averages around 15 cm, ranging from a minimum of 10 cm to a maximum of 20 cm. Complementing this, the leaf width shows a mean value of 6.75 cm, with measurements spanning from a minimum of 4.5 cm to a maximum width of 9 cm. Furthermore, the plant possesses the biological capacity for nitrogen fixation, facilitating its nutrient uptake and supporting its growth in various soil environments.

Leaf length max:

20 cm

Leaf length mean:

15 cm

Leaf length min:

10 cm

Leaf width max:

9 cm

Leaf width mean:

6.75 cm

Leaf width min:

4.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Magnolia champaca is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects such as beetles to facilitate fertilization. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fleshy fruits that vary in size, with an average fruit length of 11 cm, ranging from a minimum of 7 cm to a maximum of 15 cm. These fruits contain seeds that exhibit significant variation in physical properties; the seed mass averages approximately 0.113472 g, with individual seeds weighing as little as 0.059 g and as much as 0.4545 g. Furthermore, the seeds maintain a consistent volume throughout their development, with both the minimum, mean, and maximum recorded values at 110 mm³.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

15 cm

Fruit length mean:

11 cm

Fruit length min:

7 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

beetle

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.4545 g

Seed mass mean:

0.113472 g

Seed mass min:

0.059 g

Seed volume max:

110 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Magnolia champaca 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. Pharmaceutical biology

Chemicals

Magnolia champaca has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include MICHELIOLIDE, Costunolide, Flavonoids, parthenolide.

MICHELIOLIDE

1. Oncotarget
2. Heliyon

Costunolide

1. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Flavonoids

1. Indian journal of experimental biology

parthenolide

1. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Activities

Magnolia champaca has 4 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antiinflammatory, Antineoplastic, Antipyretic.

Anticancer

1. Heliyon

Antiinflammatory

1. Indian journal of experimental biology

Antineoplastic

1. Heliyon

Antipyretic

1. Indian journal of experimental biology

Medicinal Uses

Magnolia champaca has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include chronic diseases, inflammation, vascular permeability.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations