124 Species in Genus Aglaia

November 13 – Aglaia
"Aglaia, the radiant plant, defines November 13."
Aglaia symbolizes brilliance and vitality. You are a source of energy and positivity, illuminating the lives of those around you. Like its shimmering beauty, your presence is dynamic and uplifting.

Aglaia: A Deep Dive into a Fascinating Genus

My name is Ferb Vu, and I’ve always been drawn to the intricate world of plants. The sheer diversity and complexity of the plant kingdom never cease to amaze me. Lately, I’ve become particularly interested in the genus Aglaia, a group of trees belonging to the mahogany family, Meliaceae. These trees, with their diverse array of chemical compounds and potential medicinal uses, have captured my attention, and I’d like to share some of what I’ve learned.

What is Aglaia?

Aglaia encompasses over 120 recognized species of woody trees found in the subtropical and tropical forests of Southeast Asia, northern Australia, and the Pacific Islands. These trees are dioecious, meaning they have separate male and female trees. They are known for their unique chemical properties, particularly their production of flavaglines, a class of highly bioactive compounds.

A Diverse Family

The genus Aglaia boasts a remarkable diversity of species:

1. Aglaia agglomerata Merr. & L.M.Perry
2. Aglaia aherniana G.Perkins
3. Aglaia amplexicaulis A.C.Sm.
4. Aglaia angustifolia (Miq.) Miq.
5. Aglaia apiocarpa (Thwaites) Hiern
6. Aglaia archboldiana A.C.Sm.
7. Aglaia argentea Blume
8. Aglaia australiensis Pannell
9. Aglaia barbanthera C.DC.
10. Aglaia basiphylla A.Gray
11. Aglaia beccarii C.DC.
12. Aglaia bourdillonii Gamble
13. Aglaia brassii Merr. & L.M.Perry
14. Aglaia brownii Pannell
15. Aglaia bullata Pannell
16. Aglaia ceramica (Miq.) Pannell
17. Aglaia chittagonga Miq.
18. Aglaia conferta Merr. & L.M.Perry
19. Aglaia cooperae Pannell
20. Aglaia coriacea Korth. ex Miq.
21. Aglaia costata Merr.
22. Aglaia crassinervia Kurz ex Hiern
23. Aglaia cremea Merr. & L.M.Perry
24. Aglaia cucullata (Roxb.) Pellegr.
25. Aglaia cumingiana Turcz.
26. Aglaia cuspidata C.DC.
27. Aglaia densisquama Pannell
28. Aglaia densitricha Pannell
29. Aglaia edulis (Roxb.) Wall.
30. Aglaia elaeagnoidea (A.Juss.) Benth.
31. Aglaia elliptica (C.DC.) Blume
32. Aglaia erythrosperma Pannell
33. Aglaia euryanthera Harms
34. Aglaia evansensis A.C.Sm.
35. Aglaia eximia Miq.
36. Aglaia exstipulata (Griff.) W.Theob.
37. Aglaia fellii W.E.Cooper & Joyce
38. Aglaia ferruginea C.T.White & W.D.Francis
39. Aglaia flavescens C.DC.
40. Aglaia flavida Merr. & L.M.Perry
41. Aglaia forbesii King
42. Aglaia foveolata Pannell
43. Aglaia fragilis A.C.Sm.
44. Aglaia glabrata Teijsm. & Binn.
45. Aglaia gracilis A.C.Sm.
46. Aglaia grandis Korth. ex Miq.
47. Aglaia heterotricha A.C.Sm.
48. Aglaia hiernii King
49. Aglaia ijzermannii Boerl. & Koord.-Schum.
50. Aglaia integrifolia Pannell
51. Aglaia korthalsii Miq.
52. Aglaia lancilimba Merr.
53. Aglaia lawii (Wight) C.J.Saldanha
54. Aglaia laxiflora Miq.
55. Aglaia lepidopetala Harms
56. Aglaia lepiorrhachis Harms
57. Aglaia leptantha Miq.
58. Aglaia leucoclada C.DC.
59. Aglaia leucophylla King
60. Aglaia luzoniensis (S.Vidal) Merr. & Rolfe
61. Aglaia mabberleyi Pannell
62. Aglaia mackiana Pannell
63. Aglaia macrocarpa (Miq.) Pannell
64. Aglaia macrostigma King
65. Aglaia malabarica Sasidh.
66. Aglaia malaccensis (Ridl.) Pannell
67. Aglaia mariannensis Merr.
68. Aglaia membranifolia King
69. Aglaia meridionalis Pannell
70. Aglaia monocaula C.M.Pannell
71. Aglaia monozyga Harms
72. Aglaia monticola W.E.Cooper & P.I.Forst.
73. Aglaia multinervis Pannell
74. Aglaia nyaruensis C.M.Pannell
75. Aglaia odorata Lour. Plant FAQs: Aglaia Odorata – Chinese Perfume Tree
76. Aglaia odoratissima Blume
77. Aglaia oligophylla Miq.
78. Aglaia pachyphylla Miq.
79. Aglaia palembanica Miq.
80. Aglaia pannelliana W.N.Takeuchi
81. Aglaia parksii A.C.Sm.
82. Aglaia parviflora C.DC.
83. Aglaia penningtoniana Pannell
84. Aglaia perviridis Hiern
85. Aglaia pleuropteris Pierre
86. Aglaia polyneura C.DC.
87. Aglaia puberulanthera C.DC.
88. Aglaia pyriformis Merr.
89. Aglaia ramotricha Pannell
90. Aglaia rimosa (Blanco) Merr.
91. Aglaia rivularis Merr.
92. Aglaia roxburghiana (Wight & Arn.) Miq.
93. Aglaia rubiginosa (Hiern) Pannell
94. Aglaia rubrivenia Merr. & L.M.Perry
95. Aglaia rufibarbis Ridl.
96. Aglaia rufinervis (Blume) Bentv.
97. Aglaia rugulosa Pannell
98. Aglaia saltatorum A.C.Sm.
99. Aglaia samoensis A.Gray
100. Aglaia sapindina (F.Muell.) Harms
101. Aglaia saxonii W.N.Takeuchi
102. Aglaia scortechinii King
103. Aglaia sessilifolia Pannell
104. Aglaia sexipetala Griff.
105. Aglaia silvestris (M.Roem.) Merr.
106. Aglaia simplicifolia (Bedd.) Harms
107. Aglaia smithii Koord.
108. Aglaia soepadmoi Pannell
109. Aglaia speciosa Blume
110. Aglaia spectabilis (Miq.) S.S.Jain & S.Bennet
111. Aglaia squamulosa King
112. Aglaia stellatopilosa Pannell
113. Aglaia subcuprea Merr. & L.M.Perry
114. Aglaia subminutiflora C.DC.
115. Aglaia subsessilis Pannell
116. Aglaia taiwaniana S.S.Ying
117. Aglaia taynguyenensis T.Ð.Ðai
118. Aglaia tenuicaulis Hiern
119. Aglaia teysmanniana (Miq.) Miq.
120. Aglaia tomentosa Teijsm. & Binn.
121. Aglaia unifolia P.T.Li & X.M.Chen
122. Aglaia variisquama Pannell
123. Aglaia vitiensis A.C.Sm.
124. Aglaia wallichii Hiern

The Chemical Wonders of Flavaglines

One of the most fascinating aspects of Aglaia is the presence of flavaglines. These compounds exhibit a wide range of biological activities, including:

• Anticancer properties: Some flavaglines have shown promising results in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.
• Antiviral activity: Certain flavaglines have demonstrated the ability to combat viral infections.
• Insecticidal effects: Flavaglines can act as natural insecticides, protecting the trees from pests.

The discovery of these compounds has opened up exciting possibilities for the development of new drugs and therapies.

Traditional Uses and Modern Applications

Aglaia has a long history of use in traditional medicine. Various parts of the trees, including leaves, bark, and roots, have been used to treat a variety of ailments, such as:

• Fever: Aglaia extracts have been traditionally used to reduce fever.
• Skin diseases: The leaves and bark have been applied topically to treat skin infections and wounds.
• Gastrointestinal problems: Some species have been used to alleviate stomach aches and diarrhea.

Modern research is now validating some of these traditional uses, while also exploring new applications for Aglaia and its unique compounds.

Conservation Concerns

Despite their ecological and potential medicinal importance, many Aglaia species are facing threats due to:

• Habitat loss: Deforestation and land conversion are leading to the loss of Aglaia habitats.
• Overexploitation: Some species are being overharvested for their timber and medicinal properties.
• Climate change: Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns may negatively impact Aglaia populations.

Conservation efforts are crucial to ensure the survival of these fascinating trees and their valuable contributions to both ecosystems and human health.

Looking Ahead

As I continue to delve deeper into the world of Aglaia, I am filled with a sense of wonder and excitement. These trees, with their intricate chemistry and diverse applications, hold immense potential for future discoveries. I believe that further research into Aglaia will not only enhance our understanding of the natural world but also lead to the development of new and innovative solutions for some of the challenges facing humanity.

I am committed to learning more about this fascinating genus and contributing to its conservation. I hope that by sharing my knowledge and passion, I can inspire others to appreciate the beauty and importance of Aglaia and the vital role it plays in our planet’s biodiversity.