Tabernaemontana bovina

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ervatamia tonkinensis
• Tabernaemontana officinalis
• Tabernaemontana balansae var. macrophylla
• Tabernaemontana pallida
• Tabernaemontana bonii
• Tabernaemontana daktoensis
• Tabernaemontana dakgleiensis
• Tabernaemontana longocuspidata
• Tabernaemontana hoabinhensis
• Tabernaemontana nemoralis
• Tabernaemontana balansae
• Ervatamia lamdongensis
• Ervatamia hoabinhensis
• Ervatamia dakgleiensis
• Ervatamia daktoensis
• Ervatamia balansae
• Ervatamia balansae var. macrophylla
• Ervatamia bonii
• Ervatamia bovina
• Ervatamia officinalis
• Ervatamia pallida
• Ervatamia petelotii
• Ervatamia longocuspidata
• Ervatamia nemoralis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is placed in the order Gentianaales and the family Apocynaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Tabernaemontana, specifically as the species Tabernaemontana bovina.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution spanning across parts of East and Southeast Asia. Within China, its presence is documented in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan regions. Moving into the Indo-China peninsula, the species can also be found growing in Cambodia. Additionally, its range extends northward into the country of Laos. Together, these locations define the natural habitat where Tabernaemontana bovina is typically located.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Tabernaemontana bovina is characterized by a long-term survival strategy, functioning as a perennial organism that maintains its presence in the ecosystem over multiple years. In terms of its structural growth and ecological positioning, the plant exhibits a dual classification of life forms: it is primarily identified as a phanerophyte, indicating that its permanent shoots are elevated well above the ground, while it also displays characteristics of a nanophanerophyte, suggesting a growth habit where the woody parts are kept relatively low or compact. This combination of a perennial lifecycle and its specific phanerophytic stature allows the species to establish stable, long-lasting structures within its habitat.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tabernaemontana bovina is characterized by a woody growth form, typically manifesting as a tree. It reaches an average plant height of approximately 3 meters. This species functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic behavior, and maintains a terrestrial lifestyle rather than being epiphytic. Regarding its climbing habits, the plant is classified as self-supporting, meaning it does not require external structures like vines or lianas to maintain its stature.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tabernaemontana bovina is characterized by complex metabolic processes geared toward survival in tropical or subtropical environments, involving specialized photosynthetic pathways and secondary metabolite synthesis. As a member of the Apocynaceae family, its physiological profile is heavily defined by the production of diverse alkaloids and latex, which serve as chemical defense mechanisms against herbivory and pathogens. The plant's nutrient acquisition strategy is strictly dependent on soil nitrogen availability, as it does not possess the biological mechanisms for symbiotic nitrogen fixation; therefore, its status as a nitrogen fixer is "no." This reliance necessitates an efficient root system capable of absorbing nitrates and ammonium from the substrate to support its vegetative growth and reproductive cycles. Furthermore, its physiological regulation includes robust transpiration control and osmotic adjustment to maintain turgor pressure and facilitate nutrient transport through the xylem and phloem, ensuring cellular homeostasis amidst fluctuating environmental conditions.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Tabernaemontana bovina has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Organic letters
2. Journal of Asian natural products research

Stem

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Chemicals

Tabernaemontana bovina has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 19,20-didehydro-6alpha-hydroxyervatamine, Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids, dehydroxyervataminol.

19,20-didehydro-6alpha-hydroxyervatamine

1. Journal of natural products

Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

dehydroxyervataminol

1. Journal of natural products