sad tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Coral jasmine
• Night-flowering Jasmine

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Bruschia macrocarpa
• Nyctanthes dentata
• Parilium arbor-tristis
• Scabrita scabra
• Scabrita triflora

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, scientifically known as Nyctanthes arbor-tristris, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Lamiales and the family Oleaceae. Its taxonomic hierarchy concludes with the specific genus Nyctanthes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Nyctanthes arbor-trisculis, exhibits a widespread distribution across the Indian Subcontinent. It can be found growing naturally throughout the diverse landscapes of India and its neighboring regions. Specifically, the species is documented within the lush environments of Assam and across the terrain of Bangladesh. Furthermore, its presence extends into the mountainous regions of the East Himalaya. The plant's geographical range is also well-established within the country of Nepal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Nyctanthus arbor-tristhis is characterized by its preference for specific altitudinal gradients within its native habitats. This species is primarily found thriving in mid-elevation zones, maintaining a distinct ecological niche defined by an elevational range that begins at 200 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 600 m AMSL. Within this vertical span, the plant adapts to the varying microclimates, moisture levels, and soil compositions typical of these moderate elevations, which play a crucial role in its distribution and growth patterns.

Elevational range max:

600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Nyctanthes arbor-trisest, commonly known as Night-flowering Jasmine, is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a woody shrub, it undergoes a continuous developmental cycle that includes vegetative growth and seasonal reproductive phases. The plant establishes a robust root system to support its perennial nature, enabling it to survive through varying environmental conditions and regrow after periods of dormancy. Its reproductive life cycle is most notably defined by its nocturnal flowering pattern, where it produces fragrant blossoms that bloom specifically during the night to facilitate pollination. Following successful pollination, the plant transitions into a fruiting stage, producing small berries that aid in seed dispersal, thereby ensuring the continuation of its life cycle and the propagation of new individuals within its habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Nyctanthus arbor-trishtis is characterized by a robust, woody growth habit, primarily manifesting as a tree that can reach a significant mean height of approximately 8 meters. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic tendencies, existing independently in its habitat without a parasitic relationship to other plants. Although its growth form is predominantly categorized as a tree, it can also be described within the shrub growth form spectrum. Structurally, the plant is self-supporting, lacking the climbing characteristics of a liana or vine, and maintains a stable, independent stature throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis is characterized by a metabolic framework that utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning carbon fixation occurs primarily through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells without the specialized spatial separation found in C4 plants. In terms of nutrient acquisition, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system rather than establishing symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Nyctanthes arbor-trisesti involves the production of a specific fruit type characterized as a capsule. This structure undergoes a process of dehiscence, meaning it is dehiscence to release its seeds upon maturity.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Fruit type :

capsule

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis has 6 reported plant parts identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, flower, seed, fruit, root.

Leaf

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology
5. Parasitology research

Flower

1. Pharmacognosy research
2. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology
3. Natural product research
4. Fitoterapia
5. Planta medica

Seed

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Planta medica

Fruit

1. 3 Biotech

Root

1. Planta medica

Stem

1. Planta medica

Chemicals

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis has 27 reported phytochemicals identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Arbortristoside A, Calceolarioside A, Flavonoids, 3-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-propanediol 2-O-(galloyl-glucoside), Arbortristoside B.

Arbortristoside A

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Calceolarioside A

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Natural product research
2. Planta medica

3-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,2-propanediol 2-O-(galloyl-glucoside)

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Arbortristoside B

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

CHLOROFORM

1. Fitoterapia

Crocin

1. Natural product research

Desrhamnosylmartynoside

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

ETHYL ACETATE

1. Fitoterapia

GSH

1. Pharmacognosy research

Activities

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis has 14 reported activities identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Hepatoprotective, Analgesic.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
2. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology
3. Natural product research

Antibacterial

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
2. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Anticancer

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
2. Natural product research

Hepatoprotective

1. Natural product research
2. Planta medica

Analgesic

1. Planta medica

Anthelmintic

1. Planta medica

Anticonvulsant

1. Natural product research

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Cytotoxic

1. Planta medica

Medicinal Uses

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis has 30 reported medicinal uses identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, arthritis, oxidative stress, rheumatism, sciatica.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations