Andaliman

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Andaliman

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Fagara acanthopodium
• Zanthoxylum acanthopodium var. oligotrichum
• Zanthoxylum acanthopodium var. timbor
• Zanthoxylum acanthopodium var. villosum

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. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized into the order Sapindales and the family Rutaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Zanthoxylum, specifically as the species Zanthoxylum acanthopodium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across several key regions in Asia. Within China, its presence is noted in the South-Central and Southeast territories, as well as in the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, the species is found growing in the lush landscapes of Assam. Furthermore, its geographical reach extends into the neighboring nation of Bangladesh. Collectively, these locations highlight the significant distribution of the species across both East and South Asia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Zanthoxylum acanthopodium is defined by its preference for specific montane environments, where it thrives within a distinct vertical distribution. This species is primarily found in high-altitude habitats, occupying an elevational range that begins at 1200 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2500 m AMSL. By inhabiting these mid-to-high altitude zones, the plant is adapted to the unique climatic conditions, temperature gradients, and moisture regimes characteristic of these subtropical or temperate mountain ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Zanthoxylum acanthopodium is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a stable presence within its ecological niche. Throughout its developmental stages, the species maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and present year-round rather than shedding seasonally. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and continuous leaf retention contributes to its consistent biological activity and long-term survival in its native habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Zanthoxylum acanthopodium is characterized by its growth form as a tree, reaching an average plant height of approximately 5 m. It is a woody species that exhibits a terrestrial habit, growing directly in the ground rather than as an epiphyte. While it possesses a robust structural development, its climbing nature is categorized as self-supporting.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Plant height mean:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Zanthoxylum acanthopodium is characterized by complex metabolic pathways focused on the synthesis of bioactive secondary metabolites, particularly alkaloids and lignans, which serve as chemical defense mechanisms against herbivory and pathogens. Its metabolic processes are driven by standard photosynthetic pathways to convert light energy into chemical energy, supporting the growth of its woody structure and specialized secretory tissues. In terms of nutrient acquisition and symbiotic relationships, the plant does not exhibit the physiological capacity for atmospheric nitrogen assimilation through symbiotic bacteria; specifically, it is not a nitrogen fixer. Consequently, its nutritional physiology relies entirely on the uptake of mineral nitrogen, such as nitrates and ammonium, from the soil through its root system to support protein synthesis and cellular development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Zanthoxylum acanthopodium is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying primarily on insect vectors to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The absence of self-fertilization indicates that the species employs outcrossing mechanisms to maintain genetic diversity. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds with a highly consistent mass, as evidenced by a uniform seed mass across its minimum, mean, and maximum values, all recorded at 0.0133 g.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass mean:

0.0133 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Zanthoxylum acanthopodium 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 fruit.

Fruit

1. Open access Macedonian journal of medical sciences

Chemicals

Zanthoxylum acanthopodium has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, LIMONENE, Terpenoids, Terpinen-4-ol.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of advanced veterinary and animal research

LIMONENE

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Terpenoids

1. Journal of advanced veterinary and animal research

Terpinen-4-ol

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Zanthoxylum acanthopodium has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifungal, Antiviral.

Antifungal

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiviral

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Zanthoxylum acanthopodium has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include breast cancer, dengue virus, diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, fever.

Breast cancer

1. Open access Macedonian journal of medical sciences

Dengue virus

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Diabetes mellitus

1. Journal of advanced veterinary and animal research

Diabetic neuropathy

1. Journal of advanced veterinary and animal research

Fever

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Hyperglycemia

1. Journal of advanced veterinary and animal research

Oxidative stress

1. Journal of advanced veterinary and animal research