Leichhardt tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Cape York leichardt
• Leichhardt-pine
• Leichhardt-tree
• burtree
• canary cheesewood
• canary-wood
• soft leichhardt
• yellow cheesewood
• Leichhardt tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Bancalus orientalis
• Adina orientalis
• Nauclea coadunata
• Nauclea leichhardtii
• Cadamba nocturna
• Sarcocephalus cordatus var. pubescens
• Sarcocephalus orientalis
• Platanocarpum cordatum
• Nauclea annamensis
• Sarcocephalus cordatus var. glabra
• Sarcocephalus ovatus
• Nauclea orientalis var. pubescens
• Sarcocephalus cordatus var. mollis
• Sarcocephalus ovoideus
• Sarcocephalus glaberrimus
• Nauclea lutea
• Sarcocephalus papagola
• Sarcocephalus undulatus
• Nauclea elmeri
• Sarcocephalus undulatus var. buruensis
• Sarcocephalus buruensis
• Sarcocephalus coadunatus
• Sarcocephalus cordatus
• Nauclea ovoidea
• Sarcocephalus annamensis
• Nauclea roxburghii
• Cephalanthus orientalis
• Nauclea undulata
• Bancalus grandifolius

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further organized into the order Gentianaales and the family Rubiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is found within the genus Nauclea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across various regions of South and Southeast Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Its distribution extends significantly into the Indo-China region as well. Specifically, it is documented in the countries of Cambodia and Laos. Finally, the species also inhabits the tropical landscapes of Myanmar.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Nauclea orientalis is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its long-term persistence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated woody stems, a structural adaptation that allows it to thrive in its specific habitat. Throughout its existence, it exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage year-round, providing continuous photosynthetic activity rather than undergoing a seasonal shedding of leaves. This combination of a perennial lifecycle and a phanerophyte life form defines its stable and enduring presence in the landscape.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Nauclea orientalis is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit parasitic behavior, existing instead as an independent organism. This species is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, rather than being aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic. In terms of stature, it is a substantial plant with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 10 m to a maximum of 21 m, although the mean height is recorded at approximately 27.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

21 m

Plant height mean:

27.5 m

Plant height min:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Nauclea orientalis is characterized by complex metabolic processes geared toward growth in tropical and subtropical environments, although it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationships required to function as a nitrogen fixer; therefore, it does not possess the biological mechanisms to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, as indicated by its status as a non-nitrogen fixer. Its physiological framework relies heavily on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to support protein synthesis and cellular development. The plant exhibits efficient photosynthetic pathways to manage energy production, supporting its structural development and the synthesis of secondary metabolites. These metabolic activities are closely tied to its transpiration rates and nutrient absorption strategies, which allow it to maintain osmotic balance and facilitate the transport of essential minerals through its vascular system to support its overall physiological homeostasis.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Nauclea orientalis is characterized by the development of fleshy fruits that serve as the primary vessel for its progeny. Within these fruits, the seeds exhibit a highly consistent morphological profile, maintaining a uniform seed volume with a mean, minimum, and maximum measurement of exactly 0.47 mm³. This precise volumetric consistency suggests a stabilized reproductive strategy within the species, where the seeds are housed within a succulent, fleshy fruit structure designed to facilitate dispersal.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed volume max:

0.47 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Nauclea orientalis has 2 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, stem.

Leaf

1. Planta medica
2. Natural product research

Stem

1. Natural product research

Chemicals

Nauclea orientalis has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Strictosamide, Vincosamide, 10-Hydroxyangustine, 10-Hydroxystrictosamide, Kelampayoside A.

Strictosamide

1. Journal of natural products
2. Planta medica

Vincosamide

1. Journal of natural products
2. Planta medica

10-Hydroxyangustine

1. Planta medica

10-Hydroxystrictosamide

1. Planta medica

Kelampayoside A

1. Journal of natural products

Pumiloside

1. Journal of natural products

Sitosterol

1. Journal of natural products

Sitosteryl beta-D-glucoside

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Nauclea orientalis has 1 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antitumor.

Antitumor

1. Journal of medicinal plant research

Preparations

Nauclea orientalis has 1 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include bark.

Bark

1. Journal of natural products