Alchornea trewioides

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Stipellaria trewioides
• Alchornea trewioides var. sinica

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized into the order Malpighiales and the family Euphorbiaceae. Its specific taxonomic designation is placed within the genus Alchornea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several distinct regions in East and Southeast Asia. Within China, it can be found throughout the South-Central provinces and across the Southeast territories. Its range also extends to the tropical island province of Hainan. Moving into Southeast Asia, the species is documented within the Indo-China region. Specifically, one of its key locations in this area is Vietnam.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Alchornea trewioides is characterized by its specific vertical distribution within its native landscape, occupying a broad altitudinal gradient that spans from low-lying coastal or alluvial regions to higher inland elevations. This species is found at a minimum elevation of 15 m AMSL, demonstrating an ability to thrive in lowland environments, and it extends its range up to a maximum elevation of 400 m AMSL. The ecological niche of the plant is most frequently centered around a mean elevation of 208 m AMSL, suggesting that it is most optimally adapted to the specific climatic and soil conditions found within these mid-to-low altitude subtropical or tropical zones.

Elevational range max:

400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

208 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

15 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Alchornea trewioides is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. Morphologically, the plant exhibits a dual life form classification depending on its developmental stage and environmental context, primarily functioning as a phanerophyte with its buds elevated well above the ground, though it can also be categorized as a nanophanerophyte. Its physiological cycle is defined by its deciduous nature, meaning it undergoes a seasonal shedding of its foliage.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Alchornea trewioides is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a shrub. This plant is a self-supporting species, meaning it does not function as a liana or a vine, and it grows as an independent organism rather than acting as a parasite. It is a terrestrial plant, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, it maintains a moderate height, typically ranging from a minimum of 1 m to a maximum of 2 m, with an average plant height of approximately 1.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

1.5 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Alchornea trewioides is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a metabolic process optimized for standard environmental conditions without the specialized water-conservation mechanisms seen in C4 or CAM plants. Its vegetative structure is defined by cordate leaf forms that exhibit a finely toothed margin, lacking any defensive leaf thorns or spines. The leaf morphology shows significant dimensional variability, with mean leaf lengths measuring 11.5 cm (ranging from a minimum of 8 cm to a maximum of 15 cm) and mean widths of 10 cm (ranging from a minimum of 7 cm to a maximum of 13 cm), providing a substantial surface area for gas exchange and light interception.

Leaf form :

cordate

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length mean:

11.5 cm

Leaf length min:

8 cm

Leaf margin :

finely toothed

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

13 cm

Leaf width mean:

10 cm

Leaf width min:

7 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Alchornea trewioides involves the development of specialized fruiting structures that exhibit specific morphological dimensions. The plant produces fruits with a measurable variation in size, where the fruit width typically ranges from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 1 cm. On average, the fruit width maintains a mean value of 0.9 cm, reflecting a consistent structural characteristic during its reproductive cycle.

Fruit width max:

1 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.9 cm

Fruit width min:

0.8 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Alchornea trewioides 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 root.

Root

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Chemicals

Alchornea trewioides has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1-O-galloyl-6-O-vanilloyl-beta-glucose, ETHYL GALLATE, Erigeside C, Gallic acid, Glucosyringic acid.

1-O-galloyl-6-O-vanilloyl-beta-glucose

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

ETHYL GALLATE

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Erigeside C

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Gallic acid

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Glucosyringic acid

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

SYRINGIC ACID

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Preparations

Alchornea trewioides has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 95% EtOH extract of the root of Alchornnea trewioides.

95% etoh extract of the root of alchornnea trewioides

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica