Ceylon Ironwood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Ceylon Ironwood
• Milk Tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Mimusops hexandra
• Kaukenia hexandra
• Mimusops indica
• Manilkara emarginata

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 Ericales, it is classified under the family Sapotaceae. Its taxonomic identity is specifically defined by the genus Manilkara, with the species name hexaandra.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across parts of Asia. In China, it is specifically found in the Hainan region and throughout China Southeast. The species is also well-established within the Indian Subcontinent. Within this area, its presence is documented in both Bangladesh and India. Additionally, the plant can be found growing in Sri Lanka.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Manilkara hexaandra is characterized by its status as a perennial species, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located on aerial branches well above the ground, a structural adaptation that supports its growth as a robust woody plant. This phanerophyte life form is further defined by its evergreen deciduousness, meaning it maintains its foliage throughout the year without undergoing a seasonal shedding period.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Manilkara hexaandra is characterized by its robust growth form, primarily developing as a woody tree. It exhibits a significant stature, with a mean plant height reaching approximately 4 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not inhabit aquatic or semi-aquatic environments, nor does it function as an epiphyte. The plant is an independent organism, meaning it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, and its structural habit is described as self-supporting rather than acting as a liana or vine. Its physical composition is distinctly woody, supporting its development into a substantial tree structure.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Manilkara hexandra is characterized by its robust metabolic adaptations to tropical and subtropical environments, focusing on efficient resource acquisition and structural resilience. As a slow-growing evergreen, its physiological processes are optimized for long-term survival in nutrient-variable soils, primarily through an extensive root system designed for moisture retention and mineral uptake. Regarding its symbiotic capabilities, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer; it does not possess the specialized root nodules or the biological machinery required to engage in symbiotic nitrogen fixation with diazotrophic bacteria. Instead, it relies on the uptake of inorganic nitrogen from the soil through its vascular system to support its photosynthetic activities and the development of its dense, woody biomass. Its photosynthetic rate is modulated by light availability and seasonal water availability, ensuring a steady carbon assimilation process that supports its perennial growth cycle and the maintenance of its sclerophyllous leaf structure.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

Reproduction in Manilkara hexaandra is primarily driven by the production of seeds contained within its fruit, which exhibit significant variation in physical dimensions. The reproductive output is characterized by a notable range in seed mass, reflecting diverse developmental stages or environmental influences on the progeny. Specifically, the seed mass within a population fluctuates from a minimum of 0.125 g to a maximum of 0.58824 g. When considering the collective data for these reproductive units, the seed mass maintains a mean value of 0.35662 g, a metric that serves as a key indicator of the plant's energetic investment in its dispersal mechanisms and subsequent seedling establishment.

Seed mass max:

0.58824 g

Seed mass mean:

0.35662 g

Seed mass min:

0.125 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Manilkara hexandra 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 stem.

Stem

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Chemicals

Manilkara hexandra has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include triterpenoids, (+)-catechin, (-)-Epicatechin, BA, CA.

triterpenoids

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
2. Natural product research

(+)-catechin

1. Natural product research

(-)-Epicatechin

1. Natural product research

BA

1. Natural product research

CA

1. Natural product research

ECA

1. Natural product research

ETHYL ACETATE

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

LU

1. Natural product research

Lupeol

1. Natural product research

Procyanidins

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Activities

Manilkara hexandra has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiulcer.

Antiulcer

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Preparations