Sumatra benzointree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Sumatra benzointree
• benzoin
• benzointree
• gum benjamin-tree
• onycha
• styraxtree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lithocarpus benzoin
• Plagiospermum benzoin

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ericales, it falls under the family Styracaceae. Finally, it is specifically categorized within the genus Styrax.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several different continents and regions. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found specifically within the country of Guinea. Its presence extends to the Western Indian Ocean, where it grows in Mauritius. The species is also located within the Indian Subcontinent, specifically in Bangladesh. Finally, its range reaches into Indo-China, covering both Cambodia and Laos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Styrax benzoin is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to establish a long-term presence within its natural ecosystem. As an evergreen plant, it maintains its foliage throughout the year, providing a continuous canopy that supports its metabolic processes across various seasons. This enduring growth habit enables the plant to consistently produce the aromatic oleoresin from its bark, which is a hallmark of its biological development. Through its multi-year life cycle, the plant undergoes steady maturation, contributing to the stability of its habitat while maintaining its green stature regardless of seasonal transitions.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Styrax benzoin is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily functioning as a tree. It is a terrestrial species rather than an epiphyte, maintaining a self-supporting structure without the need for climbing or liana-like habits. The plant exhibits significant vertical scale, with an average height of approximately 7.5 m, though it has the capacity to reach a maximum height of up to 30 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

7.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Styrax benzoin is characterized by its specialized secondary metabolic processes, primarily centered around the synthesis and exudation of aromatic oleoresins within its bark. The plant utilizes complex biochemical pathways to produce benzoic acid and cinnamic acid derivatives, which are stored in specialized resin ducts as a defense mechanism against herbivory and pathogens. Its metabolic activity is heavily dependent on efficient photosynthetic processes and nutrient uptake from the soil to support the energetic demands of resin production. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, Styrax benzoin is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and therefore relies entirely on the assimilation of nitrates and ammonium present in the substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Styrax benzoin has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Benzoin gum, Benzoin resin, CINNAMIC ACID, Cinnamyl cinnamate, Coniferyl benzoate.

Benzoin gum

1. Bioprocess and biosystems engineering

Benzoin resin

1. Frontiers in microbiology

CINNAMIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

Cinnamyl cinnamate

1. Dr. Duke

Coniferyl benzoate

1. Dr. Duke

Coniferyl cinnamate

1. Dr. Duke

Phenylpropyl cinnamate

1. Dr. Duke

STYRENE

1. Dr. Duke

benzaldehyde

1. Dr. Duke

benzoic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Styrax benzoin has 57 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antioxidant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allelochemic.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Bioprocess and biosystems engineering

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Bioprocess and biosystems engineering

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Frontiers in microbiology

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anesthetic

1. Dr. Duke

Antianemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antidrepanocytic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiescherichic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Styrax benzoin has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include erythema, wounds.

Erythema

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Wounds

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Preparations

Styrax benzoin has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Benzoin resin, benzoin gum water extract, fumigation.

Benzoin resin

1. Frontiers in microbiology

Benzoin gum water extract

1. Bioprocess and biosystems engineering

Fumigation

1. Reviews on environmental health