Wongai Plum

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Wongai Plum
• Javan sapodilla

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Mimusops kauki
• Mimusops kauki var. browniana
• Mimusops bojeri
• Mimusops browniana
• Imbricaria malabarica
• Mimusops hookeri
• Mimusops manilkara
• Kaukenia kauki

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ericales, falling into the family Sapotaeceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Manilkara.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Manihot kauki, exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions of Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in both India and Sri Lanka. Its presence extends into the Indo-China region as well. Specifically, it is documented to inhabit parts of Cambodia and Myanmar. Additionally, the species is commonly distributed throughout Thailand.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Manilkara kauki is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive buds are elevated well above the ground on woody stems, a structural strategy that defines its growth habit. This species maintains an evergreen status, retaining its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally. Its biological development follows a phanerophyte life form, emphasizing a robust, woody architecture that supports its continuous lifecycle.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Manilkara kauki is characterized by its substantial growth form, as it develops into a large woody tree. This species exhibits a significant vertical stature, with a mean plant height of approximately 20 m and the capacity to reach a maximum height of up to 23 m. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite, maintaining its own nutritional processes. Furthermore, it is classified as a terrestrial plant rather than an epiphyte, growing directly in the soil. While its structure is robust and woody, it is characterized as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

23 m

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Manilkara kauki is characterized by specialized metabolic processes and structural adaptations suited to its specific ecological niche. Regarding its nutrient acquisition and symbiotic relationships, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer; it does not possess the specialized root nodules or the symbiotic mechanisms required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, meaning it relies on soil-available nitrogen through its root system. Its physiological efficiency is further defined by its water-use strategies and carbon sequestration methods, which support its growth and resilience in its native environment. The plant's metabolic pathways are geared toward maintaining structural integrity and biochemical stability, facilitating its role in its ecosystem through efficient nutrient uptake and resource management.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Manilkara kauki has 5 reported plant parts identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, fruit, leaf, seed, root.

Flower

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Fruit

1. PeerJ
2. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Leaf

1. Current protein & peptide science
2. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Seed

1. Phytochemistry
2. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Root

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine

Chemicals

Manilkara kauki has 24 reported phytochemicals identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, 16-Alpha-hydroxy Mi-saponin A, CD, CU, Epigallocatechin.

Flavonoids

1. Natural product research
2. International journal of environmental research and public health

16-Alpha-hydroxy Mi-saponin A

1. Phytochemistry

CD

1. Heliyon

CU

1. Heliyon

Epigallocatechin

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Flavonoid

1. PeerJ

Gallic acid

1. Cell biochemistry and function

Gallocatechin

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Glycosides

1. International journal of environmental research and public health

Lupeol

1. Cell biochemistry and function

Activities

Manilkara kauki has 7 reported activities identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antifungal, Antimicrobial.

Antioxidant

1. PeerJ
2. Open access Macedonian journal of medical sciences

Antibacterial

1. Open access Macedonian journal of medical sciences

Antidiabetic

1. PeerJ

Antifungal

1. Open access Macedonian journal of medical sciences

Antimicrobial

1. Open access Macedonian journal of medical sciences

Antineoplastic

1. Open access Macedonian journal of medical sciences

Hepatoprotective

1. Cell biochemistry and function

Preparations