Melicope lunu-ankenda

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Euodia lepta var. roxburghiana
• Euodia lucida
• Euodia lunu-ankenda
• Euodia lunu-ankenda var. tirunelvelica
• Euodia punctata
• Euodia roxburghiana
• Euodia triphylla var. pubescens
• Euodia arborea
• Euodia arborescens
• Euodia concinna
• Ampacus roxburghiana
• Ampacus aromatica
• Zanthoxylum zeylanicum
• Euodia marambong
• Fagara lunu-ankenda
• Fagara zeylanica
• Zanthoxylum nilagiricum
• Zanthoxylum roxburghianum
• Zanthoxylum marambong

Regional and Traditional Names

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 Sapindales, it is classified under the family Rutaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Melicope, specifically as the species Melicope lunu-ankenda.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range across several key regions of Asia. In the Chinese territory, it is specifically documented within the Tibet region. Moving to the Indian Subcontinent, its distribution extends across the state of Assam and throughout the country of India. It is also commonly found within the unique ecosystem of the East Himalaya. Furthermore, its presence is confirmed within the borders of Nepal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Melicope lunu-ankenda is closely tied to specific altitudinal gradients within its native habitat, thriving primarily in mid-elevation montane ecosystems. This species is ecologically restricted to a specialized vertical niche, occurring within an elevational range that begins at 600 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 900 m AMSL. This specific altitudinal belt suggests an adaptation to the distinct microclimates, moisture levels, and temperature regimes characteristic of these intermediate elevations, which likely influence its distribution and growth patterns within the forest canopy or understory.

Elevational range max:

900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Melicope lunu-ankenda is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to maintain its presence within its ecological niche over many successive years. Throughout its developmental stages, the plant exhibits an evergreen growth habit, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and green regardless of seasonal shifts, rather than undergoing a period of dormancy through leaf shedding. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and continuous leaf retention supports its sustained biological activity and ongoing contribution to its habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Melicope lunu-ankenda is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, reaching a mean height of approximately 22 m, with a maximum recorded height of up to 20 m. As a self-supporting growth form, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it maintains an independent existence rather than acting as a parasite. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking any aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, and it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, remaining grounded as a terrestrial organism.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

22 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Melicope lunu-ankenda is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme Rubisco. As a C3 plant, it does not possess the specialized Kranz anatomy or temporal separation mechanisms found in C4 or CAM species, making its carbon fixation processes highly dependent on specific light intensities and moisture availability. Furthermore, this species is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium or Frankia, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into biologically available forms, and therefore relies on the uptake of mineral nitrogen from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Melicope lunu-ankenda is characterized by specific sexual processes within its flowering cycle. Regarding its reproductive mechanisms, the trait of self-fertilization is notably absent, indicating that the species relies on cross-pollination to ensure genetic diversity. This absence of self-fertilization suggests a biological dependency on external vectors, such as insects or wind, to facilitate the transfer of pollen between different individuals. Consequently, the reproductive success of the plant is closely tied to the presence of effective pollinators and the spatial distribution of compatible mates within its habitat.

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Melicope lunu-ankenda has 2 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, flower.

Leaf

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Journal of food science
4. Applied radiation and isotopes : including data, instrumentation and methods for use in agriculture, industry and medicine
5. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Flower

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Chemicals

Melicope lunu-ankenda has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Buchapine, Melicarpinone, OPF, Skimmianine, scopoletin.

Buchapine

1. Journal of natural products

Melicarpinone

1. Journal of food science

OPF

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Skimmianine

1. Journal of food science

scopoletin

1. Journal of food science

Activities

Melicope lunu-ankenda has 2 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antioxidant.

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of food science

Antioxidant

1. Journal of food science

Conditions

Melicope lunu-ankenda has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Breast Cancer, Colon Cancer, Diabetes mellitus, diabetes mellitus, diabetic complications.

Breast cancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Colon cancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Diabetes mellitus

1. Journal of food science

Diabetes mellitus

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Diabetic complications

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Melicope lunu-ankenda has 8 reported preparations identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include CH2Cl2-MeOH extract, Dried leaf powder, Melicope lunu-ankenda leaf extract, crude extracts, dried leaves.

Ch2cl2-meoh extract

1. Journal of natural products

Dried leaf powder

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Melicope lunu-ankenda leaf extract

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Crude extracts

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Dried leaves

1. Applied radiation and isotopes : including data, instrumentation and methods for use in agriculture, industry and medicine

Leaves

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Methanol leaf extracts

1. Applied radiation and isotopes : including data, instrumentation and methods for use in agriculture, industry and medicine

Petroleum ether extract

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)