Malabar Orchid

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Malabar Orchid
• Mountain Ebony
• Malabar bauhinia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Piliostigma malabaricum var. reniforme
• Bauhinia hawkesiana
• Piliostigma malabaricum var. acidum
• Piliostigma acidum
• Bauhinia reniformis
• Bauhinia rugulosa
• Bauhinia acida
• Bauhinia baueriana
• Bauhinia malabarica
• Bauhinia malabarica var. reniformis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Piliostigma malabaricum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Fabales and is a member of the Fabaceae family. Its taxonomic identity is further defined by its placement within the genus Piliostigma.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range that spans across both Africa and Asia. In West Tropical Africa, its presence has been documented specifically in Sierra Leone. Moving to the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found in several distinct regions including Bangladesh and India. The species also thrives within the East Himalaya range. Furthermore, its distribution extends to the specific area of Assam within the Indian Subcontinent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pilostigma malabaricum is characterized by its specific distribution within montane and sub-montane environments, where it occupies a distinct altitudinal niche. This species is found within a defined elevational range, typically thriving at altitudes starting from a minimum of 200 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 500 m AMSL. This relatively narrow vertical distribution suggests that the plant is adapted to specific microclimatic conditions, such as particular temperature gradients, moisture levels, and humidity profiles found within these mid-elevation zones. Such ecological constraints often imply that the species is sensitive to environmental shifts, making its habitat within this 300-meter altitudinal band critical for its survival and reproductive success.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Pilostigma malabaricum is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain a long-term presence within its ecosystem. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and intact year-round rather than shedding leaves seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pilostigma malabaricum is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, exhibiting a robust and independent structural habit. As a terrestrial species, it does not function as an epiphyte or an aquatic plant, maintaining its development in soil-based environments. The plant displays a significant vertical scale, with a height that ranges from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 10 meters, though it can reach an average height of approximately 15 meters. In terms of its climbing habit, the species is classified as self-supporting rather than being an obligatory or facultative vine or liana, and it operates as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pilosigmatia malabaricum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in its native environment. Furthermore, this species functions as a nitrogen fixer, possessing the biological capacity to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, thereby enhancing its nutrient uptake and contributing to the nitrogen cycle within its ecosystem.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Piliostigma malaibaricum is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The plant exhibits an absence of self-fertilization, indicating a reproductive strategy that favors cross-pollination to maintain genetic diversity. The resulting fruits are classified as dry. The seeds produced are relatively consistent in size, with a measured seed volume of 500 mm³. Regarding seed mass, the plant produces seeds that range from a minimum of 0.28571 g to a maximum of 0.5978 g, with an average seed mass of approximately 0.441755 g.

Fruit dryness :

dry

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.5978 g

Seed mass mean:

0.441755 g

Seed mass min:

0.28571 g

Seed volume max:

500 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Piliostigma malabaricum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural medicines

Seed

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Chemicals

Piliostigma malabaricum has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 6,8-C-dimethyl kaempferol-3-O-rhamnopyranoside, CA, FE, Flavonoids, Hyperin.

6,8-C-dimethyl kaempferol-3-O-rhamnopyranoside

1. Journal of natural medicines

CA

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

FE

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Flavonoids

1. Journal of natural medicines

Hyperin

1. Journal of natural medicines

L-dopa

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

MG

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

Tannins

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

cystine

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)

linoleic acid

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)