Ancistrocladus tectorius

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ancistrocladus pinangianus
• Bembix tectoria
• Ancistrocladus harmandii
• Ancistrocladus hainanensis
• Ancistrocladus extensus
• Ancistrocladus carallioides
• Ancistrocladus cochinchinensis
• Ancistrocladus stelligerus
• Ancistrocladus extensus var. pinangianus
• Ancistrocladus benomensis

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. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales, it is further categorized into the family Ancistrocladaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Ancistrocladus, with the species being Ancistrocladus tectorius.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. Within China, its presence is specifically noted in the tropical province of Hainan. The species also extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it can be found in Bangladesh. Its range continues through the Indo-China region, encompassing the Andaman Islands as well as the country of Cambodia. Finally, the distribution is completed by its documented occurrence within Laos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Anastrocladus tectorius is defined by its specific altitudinal distribution within its native habitat, where it thrives within a narrow montane belt. This species is typically found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 500 m AMSL to a maximum of 700 m AMSL, indicating a preference for mid-elevation environments. The ecological niche of the plant is centered around a mean elevation of 600 m AMSL, suggesting that its physiological requirements and reproductive cycles are most optimally met within this specific vertical stratum of the ecosystem.

Elevational range max:

700 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Ancistrocladus tectorius is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain its presence within its ecosystem over many successive growing seasons. As a woody climber, its development involves a long-term growth strategy where it establishes a robust structural framework to navigate its environment. Unlike annuals or biennials that complete their life cycles in a single or dual season, this perennial plant invests in sustained vegetative growth and long-lived woody tissues, ensuring its ability to persist through various seasonal fluctuations and environmental changes over an extended lifespan.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Anastrocladus tectorius is characterized by its woody growth form, functioning as an obligatory liana. This climbing plant exhibits a significant vertical presence, with a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 4 meters to a maximum of 10 meters, though it reaches an average height of approximately 13.5 meters. While some classifications may describe its growth form in relation to a shrub-like structure, it primarily operates as a vine that requires support to ascend. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, growing instead from the ground as an independent organism rather than a parasite.

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

13.5 m

Plant height min:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ancistrocladus tectorius is characterized by specific vegetative morphological parameters and metabolic profiles. In terms of foliar development, the plant exhibits significant variation in leaf dimensions; the leaves typically maintain a mean length of 8.5 cm, with individual measurements ranging from a minimum of 7 cm to a maximum of 10 cm. The width of the foliage shows a similar range of variability, possessing a mean width of 5 cm, while the minimum recorded width is 3 cm and the maximum width can reach up to 7 cm. Regarding its nutrient acquisition processes and symbiotic relationships, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the physiological mechanisms to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms through symbiotic bacteria.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

8.5 cm

Leaf length min:

7 cm

Leaf width max:

7 cm

Leaf width mean:

5 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Anastrocladus tectorius is characterized by its specific floral dimensions and specialized dispersal mechanisms. The plant produces flowers that typically range in length from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 0.8 cm. Following the pollination phase, the distribution of its progeny is facilitated through an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning the seeds or reproductive units are primarily dispersed by the action of the wind.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower length max:

0.8 cm

Flower length min:

0.7 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ancistrocladus tectorius has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Fitoterapia
2. Journal of natural products

Root

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Ancistrocladus tectorius has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include dioncophylleine D, ent-dioncophylleine A.

dioncophylleine D

1. Journal of natural products

ent-dioncophylleine A

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Ancistrocladus tectorius has 2 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal.

Antibacterial

1. Fitoterapia

Antifungal

1. Fitoterapia

Preparations

Ancistrocladus tectorius has 3 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves, methanol extracts, organic extract.

Leaves

1. Journal of natural products

Methanol extracts

1. Fitoterapia

Organic extract

1. Journal of natural products