Aristolochia fangchi

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Isotrema fangchi

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Piperales, it is classified under the family Aristolochiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Aristolochia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found within specific regions of East and Southeast Asia. In China, its presence is noted throughout the South-Central territories. It also maintains a significant distribution across the Southeast portion of the country. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the Indo-China peninsula. Specifically, it can be located within the borders of Vietnam.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aristolochia fangchi is characterized by its specific altitudinal distribution within its natural habitat. This species typically thrives in montane environments, occupying an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 500 m AMSL to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL. Within this vertical distribution, the plant reaches its peak occurrence at a mean elevation of approximately 750 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for middle-altitude ecological zones that provide its necessary environmental conditions.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

750 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Aristolochia fangchi is characterized by its growth habit as a perennial climbing vine, which exhibits a woody nature in its mature stems. The plant features long, twining stems that can become increasingly robust and lignified as they age, providing a woody structural base for its climbing mechanism. The leaves are typically simple, alternate, and often cordate or ovate in shape, possessing a smooth or slightly textured surface with prominent venation. The reproductive structures are distinctive, consisting of specialized tubular flowers, often described as pipe-shaped or urceolate, which are designed to trap specific insect pollinators. These flowers are typically solitary and emerge from the leaf axils, displaying unique colors and intricate internal chambers that facilitate pollination.

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Aristolochia fangchi is characterized by the development of distinct fruiting structures that serve as the primary mechanism for seed dispersal. The plant produces elongated fruits that exhibit significant morphological variability in size. Specifically, the fruit length typically ranges from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 10 cm, with the average fruit length observed at approximately 7.5 cm. These elongated fruits house the seeds necessary for the continuation of the species, ensuring that the reproductive cycle is completed through the maturation and eventual release of these varied structural components.

Fruit length max:

10 cm

Fruit length mean:

7.5 cm

Fruit length min:

5 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Aristolochia fangchi has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aristolochic acid, Aristolochic acid I, Aristolochic acids, Aporphine alkaloid, Fangchinoline.

Aristolochic acid

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
2. Phytochemistry
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Aristolochic acid I

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
2. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences

Aristolochic acids

1. Journal de pharmacie de Belgique
2. Frontiers in plant science

Aporphine alkaloid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Fangchinoline

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Syringaresinol

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

tetrandrine

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Activities

Aristolochia fangchi has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Nephrotoxic, Carcinogenic, Toxic.

Nephrotoxic

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
2. Phytochemistry

Carcinogenic

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Toxic

1. Frontiers in plant science

Medicinal Uses

Aristolochia fangchi has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include kidney failure.

Most Reported Uses