Thin-Evodia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Thin-Evodia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Euodia lepta var. cambodiana
• Euodia gracilis
• Euodia triphylla var. cambodiana
• Ilex lepta
• Euodia lepta
• Euodia pteleifolia
• Zanthoxylum pteleifolium
• Zanthoxylum lamarkianum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Sapindales and the family Rutaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is established within the genus Melicope.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several distinct regions in East and Southeast Asia. Within China, its distribution spans from the South-Central provinces to the Southeast coastal areas. It can also be found growing on the tropical island of Hainan. Beyond the mainland, the species is documented in Eastern Asia, specifically within Taiwan. Finally, its range extends into the Indo-China peninsula, where it is found in Cambodia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Melicope ptrileifolia is characterized by its specific adaptation to montane environments, occupying a distinct altitudinal niche within its habitat. This species is primarily found within an elevational range that begins at 1,510 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2,100 m AMSL. This narrow vertical distribution suggests that the plant is specialized to the environmental conditions—such as temperature gradients, moisture availability, and atmospheric pressure—typical of mid-to-high altitude montane ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1510 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Melicope ptrileifolia is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, indicating that its perennating buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, allowing it to maintain a stable presence in its ecological niche. While it primarily functions as a phanerophyte to establish its structural height, its growth patterns and survival strategies within diverse forest strata may occasionally exhibit characteristics associated with other life forms, such as the nanophanerophyte growth habit in specific environmental contexts. As a perennial woody species, it follows a developmental cycle focused on long-term survival, utilizing its elevated bud positions to withstand seasonal changes and competition for light within its habitat.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Melicope ptelleifolia is characterized by a robust growth form primarily categorized as a tree. This woody plant exhibits a sturdy, lignified structure, which distinguishes its physical development from non-woody or herbaceous species. While its primary classification is that of a tree, its developmental characteristics can encompass climbing tendencies, manifesting as a self-supporting liana, vine, or facultative climber. This versatility in its growth habit allows it to function as a self-supporting entity within its ecosystem, utilizing its woody framework to maintain structural integrity.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Melicope ptieleifolia is fundamentally characterized by its metabolic processes, most notably its reliance on the C3 photosynthetic pathway for carbon fixation. As a C3 plant, it utilizes the enzyme RuBisCO to catalyze the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide into a three-carbon molecule, typically 3-phosphoglycerate, during the Calvin cycle. This pathway dictates its physiological adaptations to environmental conditions, influencing its water-use efficiency and transpiration rates. The plant's energy production and biomass accumulation are intrinsically linked to this specific metabolic strategy, which requires careful regulation of stomatal conductance to balance the uptake of CO2 with the prevention of excessive moisture loss through transpiration.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Melicope pteleifolia is characterized by the production of fleshy fruits, which play a vital role in the dispersal and development of its progeny. The seeds contained within these fruits exhibit high morphological consistency, with a recorded seed volume that remains constant at a mean, minimum, and maximum of 17 mm³. In terms of weight, the seeds are notably uniform, maintaining a consistent mass where the minimum, mean, and maximum values are all recorded at 0.0066 g. This precise standardization in both seed volume and mass suggests a highly regulated reproductive strategy aimed at producing predictable seed units within its fleshy fruit structure.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed mass mean:

0.0066 g

Seed volume max:

17 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Melicope pteleifolia 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, rhizome, root.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural medicines

Rhizome

1. Carbohydrate research

Root

1. Carbohydrate research

Chemicals

Melicope pteleifolia has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2,4,6-trihydroxy-3-geranyl acetophenone, Pteleifolol E, tHGA.

2,4,6-trihydroxy-3-geranyl acetophenone

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Pteleifolol E

1. Journal of natural medicines

tHGA

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Activities

Melicope pteleifolia has 2 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antipyretic.

Analgesic

1. Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources

Antipyretic

1. Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources

Conditions

Melicope pteleifolia has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include allergy, analgesic, antipyretic, asthma, cancer.

Allergy

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Analgesic

1. Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources

Antipyretic

1. Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources

Asthma

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Cancer

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Inflammation

1. Frontiers in pharmacology