aistolochla bracteata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aristolochia benadiriana
• Aristolochia benadiriana var. longilabia
• Aristolochia bracteata var. integrifolia
• Aristolochia bracteata var. altissima
• Aristolochia mauritiana
• Aristolochia kotschyi
• Aristolochia bracteata
• Aristolochia crenata
• Aristolochia abyssinica

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Piperales and the family Aristolochiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Aristolochia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several regions within the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in Burkina, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria. Beyond the western region, its range extends into West-Central Tropical Africa. Specifically, it can be found growing within the Central African Republic. Together, these locations define the specific geographical footprint of Aristolochia bracteolata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Aristolochia bracteolata is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its ecological strategy and structural growth, the plant is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the majority of the vegetation is located close to the soil surface, often protected by snow or leaf litter during unfavorable conditions. This classification is consistent across its morphological descriptions, defining it as a chamaephyte that maintains its vital structures near the ground level to ensure long-term survival within its specific habitat.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aristolochia bracteolata is characterized by a woody growth form that functions as both a shrub and a climbing plant. It is classified as an obligatory climber, utilizing its structure to ascend supports, though it maintains a shrubby habit. The plant typically reaches a mean height of approximately 0.3 m. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior and is strictly terrestrial in its growth habit rather than epiphytic.

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Aristolochia bracteolata is characterized by specialized metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies typical of many members of the Aristolochiaceae family. As an angiosperm, its physiological framework centers on complex photosynthetic pathways and the management of secondary metabolites, most notably aristolochic acids, which are synthesized through specific biochemical pathways for chemical defense. Regarding its nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, the plant does not possess the physiological mechanisms required to engage in biological nitrogen fixation; therefore, it is not a nitrogen fixer. Unlike legumes that host nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules, Aristolochia bracteolata relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium ions from the soil through its root system to satisfy its nitrogen requirements for protein synthesis and cellular growth. Its physiological regulation of water and mineral transport is integrated into its overall growth patterns, supporting its specific morphological development and reproductive cycles within its natural habitat.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Aristolochia bracteolata is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit specific morphological variations in weight. The seed mass within this species shows a mean value of 0.008253333 g, indicating a relatively consistent size during development. However, there is measurable fluctuation in individual seed weight, with a recorded minimum mass of 0.00693 g and a maximum mass reaching up to 0.0101 g. These variations in seed mass are critical parameters in understanding the plant's reproductive investment and its potential for successful dispersal and seedling establishment.

Seed mass max:

0.0101 g

Seed mass mean:

0.008253333 g

Seed mass min:

0.00693 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Aristolochia bracteolata has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aristolochic acid, Aristolochic acid I, Aristolochic acid II, Aristolochic acids, Sterols.

Aristolochic acid

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Aristolochic acid I

1. Environmental health insights

Aristolochic acid II

1. Environmental health insights

Aristolochic acids

1. Environmental health insights

Sterols

1. Environmental health insights

Tannins

1. Environmental health insights

Activities

Aristolochia bracteolata has 6 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antibacterial, Carcinogenic, Diuretic, Mutagenic.

Analgesic

1. Environmental health insights

Antibacterial

1. International journal of bacteriology

Carcinogenic

1. Environmental health insights

Diuretic

1. Environmental health insights

Mutagenic

1. Environmental health insights

Nephrotoxic

1. Environmental health insights

Medicinal Uses

Aristolochia bracteolata has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, Moraxella catarrhalis, Plasmodium falciparum, Russell's viper venom, cobra venom.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations