Scaphium affine

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Firmiana lychnophora
• Firmiana affinis
• Scaphium beccarianum
• Clompanus affinis
• Scaphium lychnophorum
• Sterculia lychnophora
• Sterculia affinis
• Sterculia beccariana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized into the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Scaphium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions in Southeast Asia. Within the Indo-China peninsula, it can be found growing in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Additionally, its range extends into the Malesia region, specifically inhabiting the island of Borneo. This wide presence suggests that the species thrives in various tropical environments across these distinct territories. Consequently, the plant is well-established across both mainland and insular Southeast Asian landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Scaphium affine is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain its presence within its ecosystem over many years. Throughout its development, the plant exhibits an evergreen habit, retaining its foliage continuously rather than shedding it seasonally. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and constant greenery enables it to maintain consistent photosynthetic activity and structural stability across multiple growing seasons.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Scaphium affine is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree. This species is capable of reaching a significant plant height, with an average stature of approximately 30 m. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is classified as self-supporting, maintaining its upright posture without the need for external climbing structures.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Plant height mean:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Scaphium affine is characterized by its metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies, which are fundamental to its growth in tropical forest ecosystems. Regarding its interaction with soil nutrients, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its nitrogen metabolism is entirely dependent on the uptake of nitrates or ammonium from the soil through its root system. The plant's physiological development is driven by efficient photosynthetic pathways and water regulation mechanisms adapted to high-humidity environments, facilitating the synthesis of organic compounds necessary for its structural integrity and reproductive cycles.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Scaphium affine involves a complex dispersal strategy characterized by a multifaceted dispersal syndrome. While the plant exhibits traits associated with various modes of movement, it primarily utilizes anemochorous mechanisms, where wind serves as the principal vector for transporting its reproductive units. However, its dispersal profile is not limited to wind alone; it also incorporates elements of zoochory, involving animal vectors, as well as autochory, which refers to self-dispersal mechanisms, and hydrochory, utilizing water currents for movement. This combination suggests a highly adaptable reproductive strategy that may include unspecialized dispersal methods to ensure colonization across diverse environmental conditions.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Scaphium affine 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 seed.

Seed

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Chemicals

Scaphium affine has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 9,12(Z,Z)-octadecadienoic acid, 9-(Z)-octadecenoic acid, Hexadecanoic acid, Octadecanoic acid, arabinose.

9,12(Z,Z)-octadecadienoic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

9-(Z)-octadecenoic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Hexadecanoic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Octadecanoic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

arabinose

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

galactose

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

rhamnose

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Preparations

Scaphium affine has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extract of the seeds of Sterculia lychnophora.

Aqueous extract of the seeds of sterculia lychnophora

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica