Indian Rose Chestnut

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Indian Rose Chestnut
• mesua
• Ceylon ironwood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

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 and order Malpighiales, it is a member of the family Calophyllaceae. Finally, it is placed under the genus Mesua, specifically known as Mesua ferrea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, its presence is noted specifically in the South-Central and Southeast territories. Moving into the Indian Subcontinent, it is found within the lush landscapes of Assam. The species also thrives in the environmental conditions of Bangladesh. Finally, its range extends to the unique ecosystems of the East Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Mesua ferrea is characterized by its preference for specific altitudinal niches within tropical evergreen forest ecosystems. It thrives within a specialized elevational range, typically occurring at a mean elevation of 540 m AMSL. The distribution of this species is highly localized in its vertical positioning, with its documented range spanning a narrow window that centers around an elevation of 540 m AMSL, indicating a precise adaptation to the climatic and pedological conditions found at this specific height above sea level.

Elevational range mean:

540 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Mesua ferrea is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it maintains its biological functions and structural integrity over many years, far exceeding the lifespan of annual or biennial plants. Throughout its long life cycle, it maintains a consistent foliage profile as an evergreen, ensuring that its leaves remain functional and present across all seasons rather than shedding them annually. This combination of a perennial lifecycle and evergreen habit allows the plant to establish a stable and enduring presence within its natural ecosystem.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Mesua ferrea is characterized by its growth form as a large, woody tree that is entirely self-supporting rather than acting as a climber or liana. This terrestrial species is an independent organism, meaning it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its physical stature, the plant reaches significant heights, with a minimum height of 20 m, a mean height of 27.5 m, and a maximum height of up to 30 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

27.5 m

Plant height min:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Mesua ferrea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a robust structural composition, evidenced by a mean stem specific density (SSD) of 1082 mg/cm³, indicating a dense and sturdy woody architecture. Its foliar morphology is defined by relatively small, lanceolate leaves, with widths ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 4 cm. The leaf length demonstrates significant variability, with minimum values of 6 cm, a mean length of 8 cm, and a maximum extension reaching up to 10 cm. Furthermore, the plant possesses the physiological capability for nitrogen fixation, allowing it to enhance its nutrient uptake and support growth in various soil environments.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

8 cm

Leaf length min:

6 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

1082 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Mesua ferrea is characterized by its distinct floral and fruit morphology. The flowering stage features prominent blooms with a variable length, ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 8.5 cm. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits that typically measure an average of 3 cm in length, though they can range from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 3.5 cm. The reproductive cycle culminates in the production of seeds with significant variation in mass; while the average seed mass is approximately 2.446558333 g, individual seeds can be as light as 1.0869 g or as heavy as 5.181 g.

Flower length max:

8.5 cm

Flower length min:

5 cm

Fruit length max:

3.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

3 cm

Fruit length min:

2.5 cm

Seed mass max:

5.181 g

Seed mass mean:

2.446558333 g

Seed mass min:

1.0869 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Mesua ferrea 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 flower.

Flower

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Mesua ferrea has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5-HYDROXYMETHYLFURFURAL, Alloaromadendrene, Betulin, Cyperene, ETHYL PALMITATE.

5-HYDROXYMETHYLFURFURAL

1. PloS one

Alloaromadendrene

1. PloS one

Betulin

1. PloS one

Cyperene

1. PloS one

ETHYL PALMITATE

1. PloS one

Friedelin

1. PloS one

Friedelinol

1. PloS one

Isoledene

1. Toxicology letters

Isovitexin

1. Heliyon

Oleamide

1. PloS one

Activities

Mesua ferrea has 18 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticarcinomic.

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antileukemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke

Antimelanomic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Mesua ferrea has 8 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Plasmodium falciparum, Staphylococcus aureus, cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, colorectal carcinoma.

Plasmodium falciparum

1. PloS one

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Cancer

1. Bioorganic chemistry

Cholangiocarcinoma

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Colorectal carcinoma

1. Toxicology letters

Lipid peroxidation

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Malaria

1. PloS one

Parasitemia

1. PloS one

Preparations

Mesua ferrea has 5 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude ethanol extracts, dichloromethane extracts, flower extracts, n-hexane extracts, oleo-gum resin.

Crude ethanol extracts

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Dichloromethane extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flower extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

N-hexane extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Oleo-gum resin

1. Toxicology letters