Mallotus phillipensis (misspelling)

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• kamala-tree
• orange kamala
• red kamala

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rottlera philippensis
• Echinus philippensis
• Mallotus philippensis var. microphyllus
• Croton philippensis
• Croton coccineus
• Croton montanus
• Rottlera tinctoria var. monstruosa
• Rottlera tinctoria
• Copianthus indicus
• Mallotus bicarpellatus
• Mallotus reticulatus
• Rottlera aurantiaca
• Mallotus philippensis var. reticulatus
• Tanarius strictus
• Mappa stricta
• Aconceveibum trinerve
• Macaranga stricta
• Mallotus philippensis var. tomentosus
• Euonymus hypoleucus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Mallotus philippensis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Malpighiales and the family Euphorbiaceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Mallotus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across several key regions of Asia. In China, it is widely distributed throughout the South-Central areas and the Southeast. Its range also extends to the tropical island of Hainan and the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Furthermore, the species can be found within the Nansei-shotto islands of Eastern Asia. These diverse locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in varied ecological zones.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Mallotus philippensis is defined by its adaptation to diverse tropical and subtropical environments, primarily thriving within a specific altitudinal gradient. It is typically found inhabiting various forest types, ranging from open deciduous forests to moist evergreen ecosystems, where it plays a role in the structural complexity of the vegetation. Its distribution is closely tied to specific topographical constraints, as the species occupies an elevational range that extends from a minimum of 150 m AMSL to a maximum of 1800 m AMSL. This wide vertical distribution allows the plant to encounter a variety of microclimates, ranging from the humid, warmer conditions of lowland regions to the more temperate and potentially mist-prone environments of higher montane zones.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

150 m AMSL

Genetics

The genetics of Mallotus philippensis are characterized by a specific chromosomal constitution that serves as a fundamental cytogenetic marker for the species. The plant possesses a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 22, a numerical value that defines its cellular structure and plays a critical role in its reproductive biology and evolutionary lineage within the Euphorbiaceae family. This stable karyotype provides the genetic framework necessary for the expression of its complex secondary metabolites, which are governed by the underlying genomic architecture. The precision of this chromosome count is essential for understanding the inheritance patterns of its bioactive compounds and its ability to maintain genetic diversity across different ecological niches.

Chromosome number :

22

Life history

The life history of Mallotus philippensis is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem over many growing seasons. It functions primarily as a phanerophyte, maintaining its buds well above the ground level, though it can also be classified under the life form of a nanophanerophyte depending on its specific growth stage and environmental context. Throughout its life cycle, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains a consistent feature of its physiological presence.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Mallotus philippensis is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as a self-supporting, independent organism. As a terrestrial plant, it does not exhibit epiphytic or parasitic behaviors, maintaining an independent existence in its habitat. The species typically reaches a plant height ranging from a minimum of 5 meters to a maximum of 20 meters, with an average height of approximately 20 meters. It is a self-supporting structure rather than a climber, vine, or liana, and it thrives in terrestrial environments rather than aquatic or semiaquatic settings.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

20 m

Plant height min:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Mallotus philippensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes. Its foliage consists of ovate-lanceolate shaped leaves, typically measuring between 4 cm and 15 cm in length and ranging from 2 cm to 7 cm in width. These leaves feature finely toothed margins and, while they do not possess leaf thorns, they are distinguished by the presence of leaf spines. Structurally, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer. Furthermore, the physical composition of its stem is defined by a specific stem density (SSD) with a mean value of 785 mg/cm³.

Leaf form :

ovate-lanceolate

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf margin :

finely toothed

Leaf spines :

yes

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

7 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

785 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Mallotus philippensis is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily involving insects and ants to facilitate fertilization. The flowering period is quite extended and variable, typically beginning in October and concluding around February. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruit classified as a capsule. These fruits are dehiscent, meaning they split open at maturity to release the seeds. The seeds are notably small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.02311875 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.0193 g to a maximum of 0.0396 g. In terms of physical dimensions, the seeds exhibit a maximum length and width of 3 mm.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Flowering time :

Oct

Flowering time :

Feb

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

ant

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

3 mm

Seed mass max:

0.0396 g

Seed mass mean:

0.02311875 g

Seed mass min:

0.0193 g

Seed width max:

3 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Mallotus philippensis has 3 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed, stem.

Leaf

1. Letters in applied microbiology

Seed

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Stem

1. Planta medica

Chemicals

Mallotus philippensis has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin, Friedelin, Lupeol, bergenin, polyphenols.

Betulin

1. Planta medica

Friedelin

1. Planta medica

Lupeol

1. Planta medica

bergenin

1. Journal of molecular modeling

polyphenols

1. Chemistry Central journal

rottlerin

1. Journal of global antimicrobial resistance

Activities

Mallotus philippensis has 2 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antiviral.

Antibacterial

1. Journal of global antimicrobial resistance
2. TheScientificWorldJournal
3. Chemistry Central journal

Antiviral

1. Chemistry Central journal

Medicinal Uses

Mallotus philippensis has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, dysentery, infections, microfilariae, pain.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations