Santol

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Santol
• red santol
• sentol
• Cotton Fruit

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sandoricum indicum var. cochinchinense
• Melia koetjape
• Trichilia venosa
• Trichilia nervosa
• Sandoricum glaberrimum
• Sandoricum maingayi
• Sandoricum ledermannii
• Sandoricum vidalii
• Sandoricum venosum
• Sandoricum ternatum
• Sandoricum nervosum
• Sandoricum radiatum
• Sandoricum indicum
• Sandoricum harmsianum
• Sandoricum harmandii
• Sandoricum serratum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Sandoricum koetjape, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Sapindales and the family Meliaceae. It is further distinguished by its placement within the genus Sandoricum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across several key regions in Asia and the Indian Ocean. Within the Western Indian Ocean, its presence is noted in the Seychelles. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, the species can be found in Sri Lanka. Its distribution extends into Indo-China, specifically encompassing the Andaman Islands. Furthermore, the plant is native to the mainland areas of Cambodia and Laos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sandoricum koetjape is characterized by its adaptability to diverse tropical environments, spanning a broad altitudinal gradient. This species typically thrives in low-to-mid elevation landscapes, occupying an elevational range that begins at 0 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL. It is most commonly found in lowland rainforests, secondary forests, and occasionally in disturbed forest areas or agroforestry systems where moisture levels are sufficient. The plant prefers humid, tropical climates with well-drained, fertile soils, playing a structural role in forest canopies where it can access ample sunlight. Its distribution is closely tied to regions with consistent rainfall and warm temperatures, allowing it to establish itself across various ecological niches within its specified vertical range.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Sandoricum koetjape is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain its presence in the ecosystem over many years. Throughout its existence, the plant exhibits an evergreen habit, ensuring that it retains its foliage and maintains photosynthetic activity across different seasons rather than undergoing a period of dormancy.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sandoricum koetjape is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, which functions as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber or vine. It is a strictly terrestrial species, existing as an independent plant that does not exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behavior. In terms of its physical stature, the plant can reach significant dimensions, with an average height of approximately 25 m and the potential to reach a maximum height of up to 45 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

45 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sandoricum koetjape is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells, a process typical of most tropical woody species. In terms of nutrient acquisition, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria (such as Rhizobium) required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sandoricum koetjape is characterized by the production of fleshy fruits that serve as the primary vessel for seed dispersal. Within these fleshy fruits, the seeds exhibit highly consistent physical dimensions, with a recorded seed volume that remains constant at a mean, maximum, and minimum of 3000 mm³. The mass of these seeds is similarly uniform, maintaining a consistent value across all recorded measurements, with a mean, maximum, and minimum seed mass of 1.22 g. This uniformity in seed volume and mass, coupled with the succulent nature of the fruit, plays a critical role in the plant's reproductive strategy and subsequent seedling establishment.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed mass mean:

1.22 g

Seed volume max:

3000 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Sandoricum koetjape has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem.

Stem

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Sandoricum koetjape has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Koetjapic acid, (+)-Spathulenol, (-)-Alloaromadendrene, (-)-Caryophyllene oxide, 3-Oxo-olean-12-en-29-oic acid.

Koetjapic acid

1. Journal of natural products
2. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
3. European journal of medical research

(+)-Spathulenol

1. Journal of natural products

(-)-Alloaromadendrene

1. Journal of natural products

(-)-Caryophyllene oxide

1. Journal of natural products

3-Oxo-olean-12-en-29-oic acid

1. Journal of natural products

Katonic acid

1. Journal of natural products

Tannin

1. Journal of applied microbiology

quercetin

1. Journal of applied microbiology

triterpene

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Sandoricum koetjape has 3 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiangiogenic, Anticancer, Cytotoxic.

Antiangiogenic

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Anticancer

1. European journal of medical research

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Sandoricum koetjape has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include DNA damage, cancer.

Dna damage

1. Journal of applied microbiology

Cancer

1. Journal of food biochemistry

Preparations

Sandoricum koetjape has 3 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Plant extracts, aqueous extracts, stem bark.

Plant extracts

1. European journal of medical research

Aqueous extracts

1. Journal of applied microbiology

Stem bark

1. Journal of natural products