Sterculia urens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several regions within the Indian Subcontinent. It can be found growing naturally in the diverse landscapes of India and its neighboring territory, Bangladesh. The species is also established in the northeastern state of Assam. Furthermore, its presence extends southward to the island nation of Sri Lanka. Beyond the subcontinent, the plant's range reaches into Indo-China, specifically within Cambodia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Sterculia urens is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain its presence in the ecosystem over many successive years. As it matures, the plant exhibits a deciduous habit, shedding its foliage periodically, which often coincides with seasonal changes or dry periods. This cyclical process of leaf senescence and regrowth is a fundamental component of its biological rhythm, ensuring its long-term survival and adaptation to its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sterculia urens is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree that typically reaches a mean height of approximately 12 m. As a self-supporting plant, it exhibits a robust growth form and functions as an independent organism, rather than acting as a parasite. It is classified as a terrestrial species, growing in land-based environments rather than aquatic or semiaquatic habitats. The plant's structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, supporting its development as a significant tree within its ecosystem.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sterculia urens is characterized by its robust metabolic processes and specialized structural adaptations suited for tropical environments. As a woody perennial, its physiological framework supports significant biomass production through efficient photosynthetic pathways and complex carbon sequestration. Regarding its nutrient acquisition processes, the plant does not engage in symbiotic nitrogen fixation; specifically, it is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its extensive root system. The plant's metabolic activity is further defined by the synthesis of various secondary metabolites, including tannins and alkaloids, which serve physiological functions in defense mechanisms and environmental stress responses. Water regulation and transpiration are managed through sophisticated stomatal control, allowing the tree to maintain turgor pressure and facilitate nutrient transport even under varying humidity levels.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sterculia urens is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit a highly consistent physical profile, showing no variance in weight across the observed samples. The seed mass is uniform, with a mean, maximum, and minimum value all recorded at exactly 0.18868 g. This precise standardization in seed mass suggests a highly regulated developmental process during the maturation of the fruit and subsequent seed formation, ensuring that each unit of offspring maintains a specific energetic investment.

Seed mass mean:

0.18868 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Sterculia urens 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Scientific reports

Chemicals

Sterculia urens has 23 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, Betulin, D-galactose, D-galacturonic acid, D-glucuronic acid.

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

D-galactose

1. Dr. Duke

D-galacturonic acid

1. Dr. Duke

D-glucuronic acid

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

FURFURAL

1. Dr. Duke

L-rhamnose

1. Dr. Duke

Lignoceric acid

1. Dr. Duke

MYRISTIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Sterculia urens has 147 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allelochemic, Allergenic.

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Anemiagenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anesthetic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke