kakadu plum

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Kakadu Plum
• Mador

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Terminalia latipes subsp. psilocarpa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Terminalia ferdinandiana, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Myrtales and the family Combretaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Terminalia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Terminalia ferdinandiana, exhibits a specific distribution across the northern regions of the Australian continent. It can be found growing naturally within the Northern Territory, where it thrives in tropical environments. Additionally, its range extends into the tropical landscapes of Queensland. The species also makes its presence known in the northern parts of Western Australia. Consequently, its geographical footprint is primarily concentrated in these three distinct Australian territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Terminalia ferdinandiaana is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain a long-term presence within its ecological niche. Throughout its development, the plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage in response to seasonal environmental changes or moisture availability. This cyclical shedding of leaves is a key component of its survival strategy, influencing its resource management and growth patterns across its extended lifespan.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Terminalia ferdinandiana is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as a self-supporting, independent organism. As a terrestrial plant, it does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, nor does it act as a parasite. The specimen typically reaches a plant height ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 14 meters, with an average height of approximately 10 meters. Its structural development is defined by a sturdy, woody constitution, ensuring it remains a self-supporting tree rather than a climber, liana, or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

14 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Terminalia ferdinandiaana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency under typical environmental conditions. As a non-nitrogen-fixing species, the plant lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, meaning it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds from the soil through its root system to support protein synthesis and enzymatic functions. This reliance on soil nutrient availability influences its growth patterns and metabolic vigor, particularly in managing the nitrogen requirements essential for its physiological development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Terminalia ferdinandiana has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. Parasitology research
2. Planta medica
3. Pharmacognosy reviews

Leaf

1. Planta medica

Chemicals

Terminalia ferdinandiana has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthocyanins, Antioxidant, Flavonoids, Tannin, Tannins.

Anthocyanins

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Antioxidant

1. Planta medica

Flavonoids

1. Planta medica

Tannin

1. Planta medica

Tannins

1. Planta medica

Terpenoids

1. Planta medica

ascorbic acid

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

ellagic acid

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Activities

Terminalia ferdinandiana has 1 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Planta medica
2. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Conditions

Terminalia ferdinandiana has 9 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include MRSA, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, fungal infections.

Mrsa

1. Planta medica

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus

1. Planta medica

Cancer

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Cardiovascular diseases

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Fungal infections

1. Journal de mycologie medicale

Giardiasis

1. Parasitology research

Inflammation

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Obesity

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Oxidative damage

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Preparations

Terminalia ferdinandiana has 1 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include fruit and leaf extracts.

Fruit and leaf extracts

1. Planta medica