Vatica harmandiana

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sunaptea cinerea
• Sunaptea lankaviensis
• Vatica cinerea
• Vatica lankaviensis

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malvales, it is classified under the family Dipterocarpaceae. Its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Vatica, specifically identified as Vatica harmandiaana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Vatica harmandiaana, is primarily distributed throughout the Indo-China region. Its natural habitat encompasses several distinct countries within this geographical area. Specifically, it can be found growing in the tropical landscapes of Cambodia and Laos. The species also maintains a presence in Myanmar and Thailand. Finally, its range extends into the diverse ecosystems of Vietnam.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Vatica harmandiaana is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a growth form where the perennating buds are located high above the ground on woody stems. Within this classification, it exhibits a range of life-form characteristics that include being a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, indicating its status as a woody plant that maintains its reproductive and vegetative structures on elevated branches. This life strategy allows the species to persist through seasonal environmental changes by protecting its vital buds within its structural canopy, distinguishing it from other life forms such as chamaephyte, hemicryptophyte, or therophyte.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Vatica harmandiana is characterized by its distinct structural development, primarily presenting as a woody tree. This growth form is supported by a robust, woody framework that establishes its presence within its ecological niche. In terms of its climbing habits, the species exhibits characteristics of a self-supporting liana or vine, demonstrating a versatile growth strategy that can be classified as both obligatory and facultative in its self-supporting nature.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vatica harmandiana is characterized by its metabolic efficiency and adaptation to its specific environmental niche, most notably through its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway. As a C3 plant, it fixes carbon dioxide directly through the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle, which is the primary mechanism for glucose synthesis within its leaf tissues. This pathway involves the initial fixation of CO2 into a three-carbon molecule, oxaloacetate, making it highly effective in environments where water availability is sufficient to support moderate transpiration rates. The metabolic processes of the plant are closely tied to its resource acquisition strategies, where the C3 mechanism dictates its gas exchange patterns and water-use efficiency. This physiological framework governs the plant's growth rate, biomass accumulation, and its ability to regulate internal carbon levels in response to light intensity and ambient temperature fluctuations.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products

Stem

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Vatica harmandiana has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1-Hydroxycyclocolorenone, Pheophorbide a, Vaticinone.

1-Hydroxycyclocolorenone

1. Journal of natural products

Pheophorbide a

1. Journal of natural products

Vaticinone

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Vatica harmandiana has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extract of the leaves and stem.

Extract of the leaves and stem

1. Journal of natural products