Terminalia calcicola

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further organized into the order Myrtales and the family Combretaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Terminalia, specifically identified as the species Terminalia calcicola.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is characterized by a very specific and localized geographical distribution. It is found exclusively within the Western Indian Ocean region. More specifically, its natural habitat is restricted to the island of Madagascar. Because of this narrow range, the species is considered endemic to this particular area. Understanding this limited presence is crucial for the conservation of the species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Terminalia calcicola is characterized by a robust, woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a tree. As a self-supporting organism, it does not exhibit climbing habits such as lianas or vines, nor does it function as an obligatory or facultative climber. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its ecological habit, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, and it does not function as an epiphyte. Furthermore, Terminalia calcicola is an independent species, showing no parasitic behavior, and its structural integrity is defined by its permanent woody tissue.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Terminalia calcicola is characterized by a metabolic framework that utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway. As a C3 plant, its carbon fixation process occurs directly within the mesophyll cells via the Calvin cycle, where the enzyme RuBisCO facilitates the initial carboxylation of CO2 to form a three-carbon compound, 3-phosphoglycerate. This physiological mechanism implies that the plant's efficiency in carbon assimilation is highly sensitive to environmental variables such as light intensity, temperature, and moisture availability, as it lacks the specialized CO2-concentrating mechanisms found in C4 or CAM species. Consequently, its gas exchange and water-use efficiency are intrinsically linked to the management of photorespiration, particularly under conditions of high thermal stress or limited water supply.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Terminalia calcicola is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit specific morphological and mass-related dimensions. The seeds produced by this species maintain a highly consistent volume, with both the maximum and minimum recorded values reaching exactly 470 mm³, resulting in a uniform seed volume mean of 470 mm³. In terms of mass, the seeds show a degree of variability, ranging from a minimum of 0.87762 g to a maximum of 1.40076 g. Across the sampled population, the seed mass reaches an average mean value of 1.103446667 g, providing a quantitative profile of the reproductive output essential for its dispersal and establishment.

Seed mass max:

1.40076 g

Seed mass mean:

1.103446667 g

Seed mass min:

0.87762 g

Seed volume max:

470 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Terminalia calcicola has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include TERMICALCICOLANONE A, TERMICALCICOLANONE B.

TERMICALCICOLANONE A

1. Journal of natural products

TERMICALCICOLANONE B

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Terminalia calcicola has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Terminalia calcicola has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include EtOH extract.

Etoh extract

1. Journal of natural products