Microcos tomentosa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Grewia paniculata
• Grewia cumingiana
• Grewia blumei

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 Malvales, it is classified under the family Malvaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Microcos, specifically as the species Microcos tomentosa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Microcos tomentoza, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several Southeast Asian regions. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in Bangladesh. Its presence extends significantly into the Indo-China region, where it inhabits various landscapes. Specifically, it is documented to grow in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. Finally, the species is also distributed throughout Thailand, completing its regional range.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Microcos tomentosa is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting the characteristics of a nanophanerophyte, which indicates that its perennating buds are located above the ground level. This species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains functional throughout much of its life cycle rather than shedding all leaves seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Microcosme tomentosa is characterized by a robust growth form, specifically categorized as a tree. This woody species exhibits a significant stature, reaching a mean plant height of approximately 15 m. In terms of its climbing habit, the plant is classified as self-supporting, rather than acting as an obligatory or facultative climber such as a liana or vine. Furthermore, it is a terrestrial species, establishing itself in the ground rather than functioning as an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Microcos tomentoza is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy common among many dicotyledonous plants that utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, this species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules or symbiotic associations with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its growth and metabolic processes are directly dependent on the availability of nitrogenous compounds, such as nitrates or ammonium, present within the soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Microcosme tomentosa is characterized by the development of fruit that exhibits a dual morphological nature, transitioning between or possessing both dry and fleshy qualities. Within these fruits, the seeds are produced with a highly consistent and uniform size, maintaining a specific seed volume that does not fluctuate across samples. Specifically, the seed volume remains constant at a mean value of 760 mm³, with both the minimum and maximum recorded volumes strictly adhering to this 760 mm³ measurement. This precise volumetric consistency in seed production, paired with the diverse textural characteristics of the fruit, defines the plant's reproductive output.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed volume max:

760 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Microcos tomentosa 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 root.

Root

1. Natural product communications

Chemicals

Microcos tomentosa has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3beta-Taraxerol, 7-Hydroxycadalene, BETA-SITOSTEROL, Mellein, cholest-4-en-3-one.

3beta-Taraxerol

1. Natural product communications

7-Hydroxycadalene

1. Natural product communications

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Natural product communications

Mellein

1. Natural product communications

cholest-4-en-3-one

1. Natural product communications

vanillin

1. Natural product communications

Preparations

Microcos tomentosa has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 80% ethanol extract.

80% ethanol extract

1. Nutrients