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camptotheca
Scientific Name: Camptotheca acuminata
Family: Cornaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Camptotheca acuminata: The Happy Tree
Camptotheca acuminata, often referred to as the Happy Tree, Cancer Tree, or Tree of Life, is a deciduous tree native to southern China and North Vietnam.
Considerations for Pets and Children
- The plant produces camptothecin and 10-hydroxycamptothecin. The text does not elaborate on safety regarding children and/or pets.
- This plant is grown from seeds.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Camptotheca acuminata
- Family: Nyssaceae (part of the Cornales order, which includes the Cornaceae family)
- Genus: Camptotheca
- Common Names: Happy Tree, Cancer Tree, Tree of Life, Tree of Joy, Xi Shu
- Synonyms are not explicitly listed in the text.
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to southern China, specifically warm, humid stream banks south of the Yangtze River.
- Also found in the Red River Delta (North Vietnam).
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Medium-sized deciduous tree, growing up to 20 meters (66 ft) tall.
- Young branchlets are described as puberulous (covered in fine, short hairs).
- Leaves are petiolate (having a stalk or petiole).
Ecological Role
- Information about its invasiveness is not mentioned in the text.
Genetic and Cytological Information
- Not mentioned in the text.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- An endophytic fungus has been found within Camptotheca acuminata that produces camptothecin.
Uses and Chemical Composition
- Camptotheca acuminata produces the pentacyclic quinolines camptothecin and 10-hydroxycamptothecin.
- Camptothecin is an alkaloid with anti-tumor activity and is a pharmaceutically important compound. It acts as a DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor.
- Fruits of Camptotheca acuminate Decne. contain camptothecin, ethyl caffeate, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, and inositol.
- To date, 78 compounds have been isolated from Camptotheca.
Cultivation
- Can be easily grown from seed.
- Can be pruned to a desired size and kept indoors with ample warmth and light.
Further Information
- RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) provides information on Camptotheca acuminata.
- Additional information may be found at the Biodiversity Library.
- Plant List includes scientific plant names for the genus Camptotheca.