Levantnut

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Levantnut
• fishberry
• poison-berry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Anamirta baueriana
• Anamirta jucunda
• Anamirta toxifera
• Anamirta paniculata
• Menispermum monadelphum
• Menispermum lacunosum
• Menispermum heteroclitum
• Menispermum cocculus
• Menispermum cocculiferum
• Menispermum populifolium
• Cocculus indicus
• Cocculus lacunosus
• Cocculus populifolius
• Cocculus suberosus
• Anamirta populifolia
• Anamirta racemosa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ranunculales, specifically being a member of the Menispermaceae family. Finally, it is taxonomically identified under the genus Anamirta.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across various regions of the Indian Subcontinent. It can be found growing naturally within the diverse landscapes of India and Bangladesh. Additionally, its presence extends to the lush environments of Assam and the island nation of Sri Lanka. Beyond the mainland, the species is also documented in the Andaman Is. of the Indo-China region. Together, these locations highlight the significant geographical range of Anamirta cocculus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Anamirta cocculus is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a growth form where the perennating buds are located high above the ground level on woody stems. Within this morphological framework, it can be further specified as a phanerophyte, as its structural complexity relies on elevated branching systems that allow it to thrive in its natural tropical habitats. As a perennial woody climber, its life cycle involves the development of robust, climbing stems that seek support to reach sunlight, maintaining its regenerative capacity through elevated buds that remain protected during unfavorable seasonal conditions.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Anamirta cocculus is characterized by its significant stature, reaching an average plant height of approximately 10 m. It functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing specialized structures to ascend its environment. The plant exhibits a complex growth form, presenting as both a herb and a shrub, and is distinctly woody in its structural composition.

Climber :

obligatory

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Anamirta cocculus is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutrient assimilation strategies. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle using the enzyme RuBisCO, a common mechanism for many woody climbing shrubs. Furthermore, this species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, instead relying on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Anamirta cocculus is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily facilitated by insects. This reliance on insect vectors suggests a specialized reproductive strategy that avoids the limitations of abiotic factors like wind or water. The plant exhibits a lack of self-fertilization, indicating that cross-pollination is a necessary component of its reproductive cycle to maintain genetic diversity. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fleshy fruits. The seeds produced within these fruits are uniform in size, maintaining a consistent seed volume with a minimum, maximum, and mean value of 390 mm³.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed volume max:

390 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Anamirta cocculus has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include picrotin, picrotoxinin, 8-Oxotetrahydropalmatine, Cocculin, FAT.

picrotin

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of molecular sciences

picrotoxinin

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of molecular sciences

8-Oxotetrahydropalmatine

1. Dr. Duke

Cocculin

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Menispermine

1. Dr. Duke

PICROTOXIN

1. Dr. Duke

Phytosterols

1. Dr. Duke

Sitosterol

1. Dr. Duke

Wax

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Anamirta cocculus has 94 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Acaricide, Acidulant, Aggregant, Allergenic.

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acaricide

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aggregant

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Anemiagenic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiMS

1. Dr. Duke

Antiacne

1. Dr. Duke

Antialopecic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Anamirta cocculus has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include dizziness, vertigo.

Dizziness

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Vertigo

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Preparations

Anamirta cocculus has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extracts, drops, tablets.

Aqueous extracts

1. Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP

Drops

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Tablets

1. International journal of molecular sciences