Shorea thorelii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across several key regions of Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, its distribution includes the country of Bangladesh. Moving into the Indo-China region, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Cambodia and Laos. Additionally, the species is widely distributed throughout Myanmar. Finally, its range extends to include the diverse environments of Thailand.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Shorea thorelii is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons and establish a long-term presence. As a deciduous species, it undergoes a seasonal shedding of its foliage, a biological strategy often synchronized with environmental changes such as dry periods to conserve moisture and regulate its physiological processes. This cyclical pattern of leaf senescence and regrowth defines its temporal existence within its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Shorea thorelii is characterized by its robust growth form as a tree, reaching a significant mean height of approximately 35 m. This species exhibits a woody structure, providing the necessary stability for its large stature. Unlike climbing plants, it is classified as a self-supporting organism, possessing the structural integrity to maintain its upright position without the need for external support such as lianas or vines.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Plant height mean:

35 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Shorea thorelii is characterized by its role as a non-nitrogen-fixing woody perennial, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms; therefore, it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil substrate. As a member of the Dipterocarpaceae family, its metabolic processes are geared toward robust secondary metabolite production, particularly resins and lipids, which serve as chemical defenses and structural components. The plant exhibits specialized photosynthetic efficiency adapted to forest canopy environments, utilizing a sophisticated vascular system to transport water and minerals through its xylem to support rapid biomass accumulation and the development of dense, lignified tissues. Its nutrient cycling is heavily dependent on the decomposition of organic matter in the rhizosphere to facilitate the absorption of essential macronutrients and micronutrients necessary for cellular respiration and structural integrity.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Shorea thorelii 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. Advances in experimental medicine and biology

Preparations

Shorea thorelii has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include bark of Shorea thorelii stem, whole stem.

Bark of shorea thorelii stem

1. Advances in experimental medicine and biology

Whole stem

1. Advances in experimental medicine and biology