Sandarac gum tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Sandarac
• Sandarac Gum Tree
• Mediterranean sandarac-cypress
• arartree
• sandarac tree
• Arar

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Callitris articulata
• Callitris quadrivalvis
• Callitris triquetra
• Callitris macrostachya
• Thuja articulata
• Juniperus cunninghamii
• Cupressus articulata
• Cupressus triquetra

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following its lineage through the subclass Pinidae and order Pinales, it is a member of the family Cupressaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Tetraclinis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide distribution across the Mediterranean region. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found growing in Spain. Moving toward Southeastern Europe, its presence is noted in Sicilia. The species also spans across Northern Africa, appearing in Algeria and Libya. Finally, its geographical range extends further west to include Morocco.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Tetraclinis articulata is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, ensuring its presence in its ecosystem over multiple growing seasons. Regarding its structural development and growth habit, the plant is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically categorized under the sub-types of phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte, which indicates that its buds are borne on aerial shoots well above the ground. This life form allows the species to maintain a robust presence and withstand environmental pressures through its perennial growth cycle.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tetraclinis articulata is characterized by a woody growth form, manifesting as a tree that can reach significant dimensions. It typically attains a plant height ranging from a minimum of 6 m to a maximum of 8 m, with a diameter at breast height (DBH) reaching up to 40 cm. Although the plant can inhabit various environments, it is categorized as terrestrial in its ecological niche, rather than aquatic or epiphytic. As a self-supporting structure, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it require external support to maintain its upright posture. Furthermore, the species is an independent organism, exhibiting no parasitic behavior toward other plants.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

DBH max:

40 cm

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height min:

6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tetraclinis articulata is characterized by a specialized photosynthetic strategy and distinct morphological adaptations for moisture conservation. The plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. Its foliage is morphologically adapted to reduce transpiration through a scale-like leaf form, where the leaves are significantly reduced in size. These scale-like leaves exhibit a highly constrained dimension, with a minimum leaf length of 0.1 cm and a maximum leaf length reaching only 0.5 cm.

Leaf form :

scale-like

Leaf length max:

0.5 cm

Leaf length min:

0.1 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Tetraclinis articulata is characterized by a monoecious sexual reproduction system. The flowering period is highly flexible and variable throughout the year, though it specifically includes a flowering peak or window centered around February. The plant produces fruit in the form of a cone, which develops a brown color upon maturity. These conical fruits typically measure between 1 cm and 1.5 cm in length. Within these structures, the seeds are produced with a mean mass of approximately 0.011835 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.01167 g to a maximum of 0.012 g. The individual seeds are small, possessing a length that varies between 3 mm and 4 mm, and a width ranging from 1 mm to 1.5 mm.

Flowering time :

Feb

Fruit colour :

brown

Fruit length max:

1.5 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit type :

cone

Reproduction sexual :

monoecious

Seed length max:

4 mm

Seed length min:

3 mm

Seed mass max:

0.012 g

Seed mass mean:

0.011835 g

Seed mass min:

0.01167 g

Seed width max:

1.5 mm

Seed width min:

1 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Tetraclinis articulata has 3 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, stem.

Leaf

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis : an international journal in haemostasis and thrombosis
3. Journal of natural products

Root

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Stem

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Chemicals

Tetraclinis articulata has 38 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BORNYL ACETATE, Flavonoids, (E)-Caryophyllene, (Z)-biformene, 14-Hydroxy-9-epi-(E)-caryophyllene.

BORNYL ACETATE

1. International journal of environmental health research
2. Heliyon

Flavonoids

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. Cardiovascular & hematological disorders drug targets

(E)-Caryophyllene

1. Natural product communications

(Z)-biformene

1. Natural product communications

14-Hydroxy-9-epi-(E)-caryophyllene

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-PINENE

1. Dr. Duke

CA

1. Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny

Carotol

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Caryophyllene oxide

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Tetraclinis articulata has 55 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor.

Antioxidant

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis : an international journal in haemostasis and thrombosis
3. Heliyon

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Heliyon

Antimicrobial

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. Heliyon

Cytotoxic

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. Heliyon

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiacetylcholinesterase

1. Dr. Duke

Antiacne

1. Dr. Duke

Antiaggregant

1. Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis : an international journal in haemostasis and thrombosis

Medicinal Uses

Tetraclinis articulata has 13 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Leishmania infantum, Leishmania major, burns, colorectal carcinoma, diabetes mellitus.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations