burflower tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Leichhardt-pine
• burflower-tree
• common bur-flower-tree
• laran

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Anthocephalus cadamba
• Nauclea cadamba
• Anthocephalus morindifolius
• Sarcocephalus cadamba
• Anthocephalus indicus var. macrophyllus
• Samama cadamba
• Neonauclea megaphylla
• Anthocephalus indicus var. glabrescens
• Nauclea megaphylla

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianaales, it is specifically situated in the family Rubiaceae. Its taxonomic identity is finalized within the genus Neolamarcaia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across several key regions in Asia. Within China, its presence is noted in both the South-Central and Southeast territories. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in the specific region of Assam. Its distribution also extends into the nation of Bangladesh. Finally, the species is documented inhabiting the rugged terrain of the East Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Neolamarckia cadamba is characterized by its preference for specific altitudinal gradients within its native habitats. This species typically thrives within an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 100 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL. This vertical distribution suggests an adaptation to lowland to mid-elevation tropical environments, where it can access the necessary moisture and temperature regimes required for its growth cycle.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Neolamarckia cadamba is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a long-term presence in its habitat. Regarding its structural life form, the species is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits consistent with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte categories, which indicates that its perennating buds are located high above the ground on woody branches or stems. This growth habit facilitates its development into a substantial woody plant capable of sustained seasonal growth and long-term survival.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Neolamarckia cadamba is characterized by its substantial growth form as a woody tree, which functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. It is a terrestrial species that exhibits a self-supporting growth habit, requiring no climbing mechanisms such as vines or lianas to maintain its structure. This tree reaches impressive dimensions, with an average plant height of approximately 37.5 m and a maximum recorded height of up to 40 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

40 m

Plant height mean:

37.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Neolamarckia cadamba is characterized by its metabolic efficiency and nutrient acquisition strategies. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells, a process typical of many tropical forest species. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil rather than establishing symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Neolamarckia cadamba is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms rather than abiotic factors to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Specifically, the plant utilizes insect-mediated pollination to ensure successful fertilization. Regarding its seed characteristics, the species produces seeds with a highly consistent mass; the seed mass is uniform, with a mean, minimum, and maximum value all measured at 0.04 g.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.04 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Neolamarckia cadamba has 3 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit, stem.

Leaf

1. Medical oncology (Northwood, London, England)
2. Journal of tropical medicine

Fruit

1. Metabolites

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Neolamarckia cadamba has 22 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cadambine, Flavonoids, Tannins, AC 4, Glycosides.

Cadambine

1. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology
2. Scientific reports
3. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology
5. International journal of molecular sciences

Flavonoids

1. Metabolites
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Journal of tropical medicine

Tannins

1. Metabolites
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Journal of tropical medicine

AC 4

1. Chemistry & biodiversity
2. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry

Glycosides

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of tropical medicine

Saponins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of tropical medicine

AC 1

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry

AC 3

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry

AC-2

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry

CATECHIN

1. Metabolites

Activities

Neolamarckia cadamba has 15 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antiproliferative, Antimalarial, Abortifacient.

Anticancer

1. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology
2. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
3. Medical oncology (Northwood, London, England)

Antioxidant

1. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology
2. Chemistry & biodiversity
3. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening

Antiproliferative

1. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology
2. Chemistry & biodiversity
3. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry

Antimalarial

1. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Abortifacient

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antibacterial

1. Medical oncology (Northwood, London, England)

Antigenotoxic

1. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening

Antihepatotoxic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antipyretic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Neolamarckia cadamba has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Escherichia coli, antimalarial, antioxidant, fever, inflammation.

Escherichia coli

1. Medical oncology (Northwood, London, England)

Antimalarial

1. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology

Antioxidant

1. The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology

Fever

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Inflammation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Liver cancer

1. Medical oncology (Northwood, London, England)

Pruritus

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Neolamarckia cadamba has 6 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include chloroform (CACB), crude methanol extract from bark of A. cadamba, ethylacetate (EACB), hexane (HACB), leaf extracts.

Chloroform (cacb)

1. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening

Crude methanol extract from bark of a. cadamba

1. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening

Ethylacetate (eacb)

1. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening

Hexane (hacb)

1. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening

Leaf extracts

1. Journal of tropical medicine

Nbutanol (nacb)

1. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening