Tabernaemontana sphaerocarpa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pagiantha fagraeoides
• Pagiantha sphaerocarpa
• Tabernaemontana fagraeoides
• Tabernaemontana javanica
• Ervatamia sphaerocarpa

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianaales, it is classified under the family Apocynaceae and the genus Tabernaemontana. Specifically, this species is identified as Tabernaemontana sphaerocarpa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is geographically distributed throughout the Malesia region. Specifically, it can be found growing across the island of Jawa. Its presence extends further east to include the Lesser Sunda Islands. Additionally, the species is documented within the Maluku archipelago. Finally, its natural habitat also encompasses the island of Sulawesi.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Tabernaemontana sphaerocarpa is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the species is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits associated with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms. This indicates that its perennating buds are elevated well above the ground level, typically on woody stems or branches, which enables the plant to maintain a robust, long-lived physical presence in its habitat.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tabernaemontana sphaerocarpa is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a tree. This plant can reach a significant plant height with a mean measurement of approximately 10 m. In terms of its structural habit, it is classified as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber, as it does not function as an obligatory or facultative liana or vine. As an independent species, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior and is strictly terrestrial in its growth habit, rather than being an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tabernaemontana sphaerocarpa is characterized by metabolic processes typical of the Apocynaceae family, involving complex secondary metabolite synthesis and specific nutrient acquisition strategies. Its photosynthetic mechanisms drive the production of various alkaloids and terpenoids, which serve both defensive and physiological roles within the plant's internal systems. Regarding its interaction with soil nutrients and symbiotic relationships, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the specialized root nodules or symbiotic associations with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, meaning it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Tabernaemontana sphaerocarpa 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. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Tabernaemontana sphaerocarpa has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Biscarpamontamine A, Biscarpamontamine B.

Biscarpamontamine A

1. Journal of natural products

Biscarpamontamine B

1. Journal of natural products