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camptotheca

Scientific Name: Camptotheca

Family: Cornaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Camptotheca acuminata: The Happy Tree

Camptotheca acuminata, often called the "Happy Tree," is a medium-sized deciduous tree gaining attention for its production of valuable chemical compounds.

Considerations for Pets and Children

  • This tree produces compounds like camptothecin and 10-hydroxycamptothecin, and while traditionally it's being researched for medicinal qualities, the presence of these compounds warrants caution.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

  • Scientific Name: Camptotheca acuminata
  • Common Names: Happy Tree, Cancer Tree, Tree of Joy, Tree of Life, Xi Shu
  • Family: Nyssaceae (sometimes classified under Cornaceae)
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Synonyms: Xi Shu (though this is more accurately a common name)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to southern China and Tibet.
  • Specifically found south of the Yangtse River in China, in warm, humid stream bank environments.
  • Presence also indicated in the Red River Delta (North Vietnam) during the Holocene epoch, based on pollen analyses.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Deciduous tree growing to 20 meters (66 ft) tall.

Chemical Properties and Uses

  • Produces pentacyclic quinolines, notably camptothecin (CPT) and 10-hydroxycamptothecin.
  • Camptothecin has strong anti-tumor activity.
  • These compounds are extracted from the tree and studied for pharmaceutical applications.

Genetic Information

  • Research involves overexpressing the ORCA3 gene in Camptotheca acuminata hairy roots. The ORCA3 gene is a transcription factor known for its involvement in the regulation of secondary metabolite biosynthesis in other plant species.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Research has been done on endophytic fungi found within Camptotheca acuminata that also produce camptothecin.

Further Resources

  • RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) provides information on Camptotheca acuminata.
  • The Plant List database includes information on the Camptotheca genus.
  • Biodiversitylibrary.org contains publications related to Camptotheca acuminata.
  • USDA Plant Introduction Station, Chico, CA has specimens of Camptotheca acuminata.
  • MetaCyc database contains information about Camptotheca acuminata