common hog-plum

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• common hog-plum
• amberella

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Evia amara
• Spondias mangifera
• Spondias paniculata
• Spondias bivenomarginalis
• Spondias amara
• Spondias acuminata
• Spondias mangifera var. javanica
• Poupartia acuminata
• Buchanania yunnanensis
• Wirtgenia decandra

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Sapindales, it falls under the family Anacardiaceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Spondias, which includes the species Spondias pinnata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be found throughout the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan provinces. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, its presence is well-documented in the state of Assam. Additionally, the species is widely distributed within the borders of Bangladesh. Together, these locations highlight the plant's preference for specific tropical and subtropical environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Spondias pinnata is characterized by its adaptability to specific altitudinal gradients within its natural habitat. This species thrives across a broad vertical distribution, typically found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 200 m AMSL to a maximum of 1200 m AMSL. Within this ecological niche, the plant reaches its optimal growth conditions at a mean elevation of approximately 760 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-altitude tropical or subtropical environments. This altitudinal range influences the local microclimate, moisture availability, and soil compositions that the species inhabits, dictating its spatial distribution within its native ecosystem.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

760 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Spondias pinnata is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons and establish a long-term presence. Its growth pattern is further defined by its deciduousness, as the plant undergoes a seasonal shedding of its foliage, typically in response to dry periods or temperature fluctuations. This cycle of leaf senescence and subsequent regrowth is a fundamental component of its biological rhythm, ensuring its survival and adaptation within its native ecological niches.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Spondias pinnata is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, reaching an average height of 12 m, though it can attain a maximum height of up to 25 m. As a terrestrial species, it is not aquatic and does not function as an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting in its structure, lacking the climbing habits of a liana or vine, and it operates as an independent organism rather than a parasite.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

25 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Spondias pinnata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and metabolic efficiency in varying environmental conditions. In terms of structural composition, the plant exhibits a stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 260 mg/cm³, reflecting the internal tissue density and mechanical properties of its woody structure. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, relying instead on soil nutrient availability for its nitrogen requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

260 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Spondias pinnata is characterized by the production of fleshy, indehiscent drupes that serve as the primary dispersal units. These fruits typically exhibit a mean length of 4.25 cm, ranging from a minimum of 3.5 cm to a maximum of 5 cm. As fleshy fruits, they are adapted for a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals for movement and distribution. Within these drupes, the seeds are substantial, maintaining a consistent mass of 10 g (with both minimum and maximum values recorded at 10 g) and a uniform seed volume of 9900 mm³. Because the fruit is indehiscent, the seeds are contained within the fleshy tissue until the fruit is consumed or decays, facilitating the plant's reproductive cycle through biotic agents.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

5 cm

Fruit length mean:

4.25 cm

Fruit length min:

3.5 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Seed mass mean:

10 g

Seed volume max:

9900 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Spondias pinnata 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 fruit, stem.

Fruit

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Stem

1. Ancient science of life

Chemicals

Spondias pinnata has 23 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, CALCIUM, Ellagitannins, FAT, Flavonoids.

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

Ellagitannins

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Flavonoids

1. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)

Geraniin

1. Dr. Duke

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke

POTASSIUM

1. Dr. Duke

SODIUM

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Spondias pinnata has 249 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include ACE-Inhibitor, Acetylcholinergic, Acidulant, Acnegenic, Adrenocorticotrophic.

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acetylcholinergic

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Acnegenic

1. Dr. Duke

Adrenocorticotrophic

1. Dr. Duke

Aggregant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Spondias pinnata has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, parasitemia.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations