Dysoxylum is a genus of rainforest trees and shrubs in the flowering plant family Meliaceae. About 34 species are recognised in the genus, distributed from India and southern China, through southeast Asia to New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Australia.[1] The name Dysoxylum derives from the Greek word ‘Dys’ meaning "bad" referring to "ill-smelling" and ‘Xylon’ meaning "wood".[3][4]

Dysoxylum
Dysoxylum gotadhora fruits and leaves
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Meliaceae
Subfamily: Melioideae
Genus: Dysoxylum
Blume ex Raspail (1827)
Type species
Dysoxylum macrocarpum
Species[1]

34, see text

Synonyms[1]
List
    • Alliaria Rumph ex Kuntze (1891) (non Heist. ex Fabr.: nom. illeg., nom. superfl., preoccupied)
    • Disoxylon Rchb. (1837), orth. var.
    • Disoxylum A.Juss. (1830 publ. 1831), orth. var.
    • Disyphonia Griff. (1854), nom. provis.
    • Dysoxylon Bartl. (1830), orth. var.)
    • Harpagonia Noronha (1790), nom. nud.
    • Lachanodendron Reinw. (1823), nom. nud.
    • Plutea Noronha (1790), nom. nud.

Distribution

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The genus ranges from the Indian subcontinent to Indochina, southern China, Malesia, New Guinea and the Solomon and Santa Cruz Islands, and northern and eastern Australia.[1]

Eight species are native to the Indian subcontinent.[5] 15 species are native to Indochina,[6] and 6 are native to southern China.[7] 13 species are native to Malesia,[8] and seven species to Papuasia (New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, and Solomon Islands) and the Santa Cruz Islands.[9]

Four species – Dysoxylum acutangulum, D. latifolium, D. oppositifolium, and D. pumilum – are native to Australia.[10] They grow in northwestern New South Wales, the humid east coast regions of Queensland including the wet tropics rainforests region of northeastern Queensland and Cape York Peninsula, and the northern parts of the Northern Territory and Western Australia.[11][4]

In the Indian subcontinent, including India, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, large trees of the genus Dysoxylum grow naturally in forests from lowlands to mid-elevation mountains. Eight species are native to the region. D. beddomei, D. malabaricum, D. purpureum, and D. swaminathanianum are endemic to southwestern India. D. cyrtobotryum, D. gotadhora, D. grande, and D. pallens are native to the Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia.[5][12][13]

Habitats

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These trees are important components of the native tropical forests of their range, such as New Guinea and the tropical forests of northern Australia.[12][11] In this region, more than forty different species grow naturally, from the lowlands to the mountains.[12] In New Guinea, D. enantiophyllum and an undescribed taxon have records of growing up to about 3,000 m (9,800 ft) elevation.[12]

In the forests of the region of China, India, Sri Lanka and the adjacent Himalayas including Bhutan and Nepal, about fourteen recorded different species grow naturally from the lowlands to the mountains up to 1,700 m (5,600 ft) elevation.[14]

In India, Dysoxylum malabaricum is known by many other names such as Indian white cedar, Bilidevdari (ಬಿಳಿದೇವದಾರು), Bombay white cedar, Velley agile, Porapa, Vella agil, and Devagarige (ದೇವರಿಗೆ). It grows in the evergreen forest regions of Western Ghats, North Kanara, Coorg, Anaimalai Hills, and Travancore regions.[15]

Uses

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Dysoxylum gotadhora, 20 Dec 2007, India

The Australian species were prized for their wood which is a rich red in colour and was widely used in the furniture trade. The common timber name for the Australian species is the rose mahogany. The New Zealand species, Kohekohe (D. spectabile), is sometimes known as New Zealand mahogany, because its wood is light, strong and polishes to a fine red colour.

Rohitukine (C16H19O5N), a chromane alkaloid, was first reported from Amoora rohituka (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. (Meliaceae) and then from D. binectariferum (aka D. gotadhora) Rohitukine exhibits both anti-inflammatory as well as immuno-modulatory properties besides acting as an anticancer compound. Rohitukine is an important precursor for the semi-synthetic derivative, flavopiridol (C21H20Cl NO5).

In India, apart from its economic importance for building and furniture making, it is an important ingredient in Ayurvedic Medicine as many species have curative qualities taken independently or as an ingredient of a medicinal mixture. Some of the uses in Ayurveda reported are; Wood decoction of D. malabaricum to cure rheumatism and its oil is used to cure eye and ear diseases; a few species are used to cure inflammation, cardio-disorder, CNS disorder and also tumor.[13] In Indian tradition and culture oil is extracted from the seeds Dysoxylum malabaricum, which has wide beneficial application.[16]

Taxonomy

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The genus Dysoxylum was erected in 1825 by the German-Dutch botanist Carl Ludwig Blume to accommodate some newly discovered plant species from Java. Over the years many changes were made to the genus, and by the late 20th century it was clear that Dysoxylum had become polyphyletic. A 2021 revision of the genus (which by then had come to include 94 species) confirmed the polyphyly and the authors reinstated several genera which had previously been considered synonyms of DysoxylumDidymocheton, Epicharis, Goniocheton, Prasoxylon, and Pseudocarapa – in order to accommodate their findings.[2]

The authors (Holzmeyer et al.) proposed a circumscription (i.e. a concept of included species) of the genus that included 28 species, plus one subspecies. Following the publication of the 2021 paper, Plants of the World Online (POWO) revised their own circumscription of the genus to include 34 species. Of the 28 species proposed by Holzmeyer et al., only 23 are accepted by POWO, and there are 11 species included by POWO that were not proposed by Holzmeyer et al.[1][2]

Species

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34 species are currently accepted by Plants of the World Online.[1]

Formerly placed here

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Dysoxylum Blume ex Raspail. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Holzmeyer, Laura; Hauenschild, Frank; Mabberley, David J.; Muellner-Riehl, Alexandra N. (2021). "Confirmed polyphyly, generic recircumscription and typification of Dysoxylum (Meliaceae), with revised disposition of currently accepted species". Taxon. 70 (6): 1248–1272. doi:10.1002/tax.12591.
  3. ^ Cooper, Wendy; Cooper, William T. (June 2004). "Dysoxylum Blume". Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia: Nokomis Editions. p. 287. ISBN 9780958174213. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  4. ^ a b Boland, D. J.; Brooker, MIH; Chippendale, GM; N Hall; BPM Hyland; RD Johnston; DA Kleinig; MW McDonald; JD Turner (Dec 2006). Forest Trees of Australia. CSIRO Publishing. pp. 120–. ISBN 978-0-643-09894-7. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  5. ^ a b World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) checklist builder; search results for Indian Subcontinent (region) + Dysoxylon (genus). Accessed 28 February 2024.
  6. ^ World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) checklist builder; search results for Indo-China (region) + Dysoxylon (genus). Accessed 17 February 2024.
  7. ^ World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) checklist builder; search results for China (region) + Dysoxylon (genus). Accessed 17 February 2024.
  8. ^ World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) checklist builder; search results for Malesia (region) + Dysoxylon (genus). Accessed 17 February 2024.
  9. ^ World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) checklist builder; search results for Papuasia (region) + Dysoxylon (genus). Accessed 17 February 2024.
  10. ^ World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) checklist builder; search results for Australia (region) + Dysoxylon (genus). Accessed 17 February 2024.
  11. ^ a b F.A. Zich; B.Hyland; T. Whiffen; R.A. Kerrigan. "Meliaceae". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants (RFK8). Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  12. ^ a b c d Mabberly, D.J.; Pannell, C.M.; Sing, A.M. (1995). Flora Malesiana Series I—Spermatophyta. Leiden: Rijksherbarium/Hortus Botanicus. pp. 1–388.
  13. ^ a b Parcha, V.; Gahlot, M.; Kaur, J.; Tomar, Y. (2004). "A review on phytochemical and pharmacological studies of Dysoxylum species". Journal of Natural Remedies. 4 (1). Bangalore: Natural Remedies Private Ltd.: 1–11. ISSN 0972-5547. Archived from the original on 30 July 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  14. ^ Peng & Mabberley (2008) Flora of China. Online "Dysoxylum Blume". Retrieved 18 Mar 2013.
  15. ^ "Dysoxylum malabaricum". WoodworkersSource.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  16. ^ "Exploring the "Bio- Cultural" Heritage in Conservation of 5 Rare, Endemic & Threatened (RET) Tree Species of Western Ghats of Kerala" (PDF). CMS Date IUCN Organization. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  17. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum acutangulum". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  18. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum brachybotrys". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  19. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum carolinae". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  20. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum cyrtobotrium". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  21. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum enantiophyllum". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  22. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum flavescens". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  23. ^ Peng & Mabberley (2008) Flora of China. Online "Dysoxylum gotadhora". Retrieved 18 Mar 2013.
  24. ^ Peng & Mabberley (2008) Flora of China. Online "Dysoxylum grande". Retrieved 18 Mar 2013.
  25. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum grande". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  26. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum kaniense". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  27. ^ F.A. Zich; B.Hyland; T. Whiffen; R.A. Kerrigan. "Dysoxylum latifolium". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants (RFK8). Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  28. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum latifolium". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  29. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum macrocarpum". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  30. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum magnificum". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  31. ^ F.A. Zich; B.Hyland; T. Whiffen; R.A. Kerrigan. "Dysoxylum oppositifolium". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants (RFK8). Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  32. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum oppositifolium". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  33. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum pachyrhache". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  34. ^ Peng & Mabberley (2008) Flora of China. Online "Dysoxylum pallens". Retrieved 18 Mar 2013.
  35. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum papillosum". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  36. ^ F.A. Zich; B.Hyland; T. Whiffen; R.A. Kerrigan. "Dysoxylum pumilum". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants (RFK8). Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  37. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum randianum". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  38. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum rugulosum". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  39. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum boridianum". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  40. ^ F.A. Zich; B.Hyland; T. Whiffen; R.A. Kerrigan. "Dysoxylum gaudichaudianum". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants (RFK8). Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  41. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum nutans". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  42. ^ F.A. Zich; B.Hyland; T. Whiffen; R.A. Kerrigan. "Dysoxylum papuanum". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants (RFK8). Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  43. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum papuanum". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  44. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum pettigrewianum". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  45. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum phaeotrichum". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  46. ^ F.A. Zich; B.Hyland; T. Whiffen; R.A. Kerrigan. "Dysoxylum setosum". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants (RFK8). Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  47. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum setosum". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  48. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum sparsiflorum". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  49. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum stellatopuberulum". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  50. ^ Yuncker, T. G. (July 1959). "Dysoxylum tongense A.C.Sm". Plants of Tonga (Digitised, online, via hathitrust.org). B. P. Bishop Museum Bulletin. Vol. 220. Honolulu, Hawaii: B. P. Bishop Museum. p. 158. Retrieved 7 Nov 2013.
  51. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum variabile". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  52. ^ F.A. Zich; B.Hyland; T. Whiffen; R.A. Kerrigan. "Dysoxylum parasiticum". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants (RFK8). Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  53. ^ Peng & Mabberley (2008) Flora of China. Online "Dysoxylum parasiticum". Retrieved 18 Mar 2013.
  54. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum parasiticum". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  55. ^ F.A. Zich; B.Hyland; T. Whiffen; R.A. Kerrigan. "Dysoxylum arborescens". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants (RFK8). Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  56. ^ Peng & Mabberley (2008) Flora of China. Online "Dysoxylum arborescens". Retrieved 18 Mar 2013.
  57. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum arborescens". Retrieved 21 Mar 2013.
  58. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum angustifolium". Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  59. ^ Mabberley et al. (1995) Flora Malesiana. Digitised, online "Dysoxylum rigidum". Retrieved 27 May 2013.

Cited works

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  • Peng, Hua; Mabberley, David J. (2008). Wu, Z. Y.; Raven, P. H. (eds.). "Dysoxylum Blume". Flora of China. Online version. eFloras.org. Beijing and St. Louis, MO: Science Press and Missouri Botanical Garden Press. Retrieved 26 June 2013.