Mitragyna rotundifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Nauclea brunonis
• Mitragyna brunonis
• Nauclea rotundifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls into the order Gentianaales and the family Rubiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Mitragyna.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several distinct regions in Asia. Within China, its presence is primarily concentrated in the South-Central areas. Moving into the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found in Assam, Bangladesh, and the East Himalaya region. The species also extends into the Indo-China territory, specifically inhabiting the Andaman Islands. Together, these locations highlight the broad natural distribution of Mitragyna rotundifolia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Mitragyna rotundifolia is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a growth form where the perennating buds are located well above the ground on aerial stems. Within this category, its specific developmental strategy aligns with both the phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms, indicating a perennial habit that maintains woody structures above the soil surface to survive unfavorable seasonal conditions. This life history strategy allows the plant to establish a permanent presence in its ecosystem, utilizing its elevated buds to facilitate continuous growth and regeneration through various life stages.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Mitragyna rotundifolia is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically categorized as a tree. It functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite, maintaining a terrestrial existence that excludes aquatic or semiaquatic habitats. While it exhibits certain climbing characteristics, it is classified as a self-supporting plant rather than an obligatory or facultative liana or vine. Furthermore, it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, remaining strictly terrestrial in its growth habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Mitragyna rotundifolia is characterized by a metabolic framework defined by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common trait among many tropical woody perennials that facilitates carbon fixation through the enzyme RuBisCO. This C3 mechanism involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide into a three-carbon compound during the Calvin cycle, which is optimal for the humid, shaded, or semi-shaded forest understories where the species typically thrives. Beyond its carbon assimilation strategy, the plant's physiological processes are heavily geared toward the synthesis and sequestration of complex indole alkaloids within its leaf tissues. These secondary metabolites are produced through specialized biosynthetic pathways that respond to environmental stimuli and developmental stages, playing a critical role in the plant's chemical defense mechanisms. The regulation of these physiological processes, including nutrient uptake, transpiration rates, and alkaloid biosynthesis, is closely tied to the plant's adaptation to its specific tropical ecological niche.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Mitragyna rotundifolia involves a specialized process centered on the production of minute seeds that facilitate its dispersal and propagation. The seed characteristics of this species are highly uniform, exhibiting no significant variation in size or weight across different specimens. Specifically, the seed mass is characterized by a consistent mean, maximum, and minimum value of 9.5e-05 g. This extremely lightweight nature suggests that the seeds are likely adapted for efficient dispersal mechanisms, allowing them to be easily moved by environmental factors to colonize new habitats.

Seed mass mean:

9.5e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Mitragyna rotundifolia has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-SITOSTEROL, Dauricine, Gambireine, Gambirine, Taraxerol.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Dauricine

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Gambireine

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Gambirine

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Taraxerol

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

caffeic acid

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Preparations

Mitragyna rotundifolia has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include EtOH extract from the bark, bark of Mitragyna rotundifolia.

Etoh extract from the bark

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Bark of mitragyna rotundifolia

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica