Astianthus viminalis Baill.

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Gelseminum viminale
• Astianthus longifolius
• Tecoma viminalis
• Bignonia viminalis

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 and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Lamiales and is a member of the family Bignoniaceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Astianthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution throughout several regions of Mexico. It can be found across the central part of the country, spanning from Mexico Central to the Mexico Gulf coast. Additionally, its presence extends into the Mexico Southwest and the Mexico Southeast regions. Moving further south, the species is also documented within Central America. Specifically, one of its key locations in this region is El Salvador.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Astianthus viminalis is characterized by its classification as a perennial, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its perennuating buds are located well above the ground on aerial shoots, a structural trait that defines its life form. This phanerophyte status, categorized under both life form descriptors, ensures that the plant maintains a robust presence in its ecological niche throughout its extended lifespan.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Astianthus viminalis is characterized by its stature as a woody tree, reaching an average height of approximately 12 m. This species exhibits a self-supporting growth habit, functioning as a non-climbing, independent organism rather than a liana or vine. It is a terrestrial plant, neither aquatic nor epiphytic, and it maintains an independent existence without parasitic tendencies. Its structural development is defined by a robust, woody framework typical of its tree growth form.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Astianthus viminalis is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutritional processes. The plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle without the specialized CO2-concentrating mechanisms found in C4 or CAM plants. Regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, Astianthus viminalis is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms and must instead rely on the uptake of available nitrates and ammonium from the soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Astianthus viminalis is characterized by the production of very fine, lightweight seeds that facilitate dispersal. Quantitative analysis of the seed morphology reveals a highly specific mass range, with a calculated mean seed mass of 8.5e-05 g. Within a given population, the individual seed masses exhibit subtle variations, ranging from a minimum value of 7e-05 g to a maximum value of 1e-04 g. These minute physical dimensions suggest an evolutionary adaptation toward efficient distribution within its ecological niche.

Seed mass max:

1e-04 g

Seed mass mean:

8.5e-05 g

Seed mass min:

7e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Astianthus viminalis 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural medicines

Chemicals

Astianthus viminalis has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 7,8-Dimethoxycoumarin, 7-Methoxycoumarin, OLEANOLIC ACID, Ursolic acid.

7,8-Dimethoxycoumarin

1. Journal of natural medicines

7-Methoxycoumarin

1. Journal of natural medicines

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Journal of natural medicines

Ursolic acid

1. Journal of natural medicines

Activities

Astianthus viminalis has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Hypoglycemic.

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of natural medicines

Hypoglycemic

1. Journal of natural medicines

Conditions

Astianthus viminalis has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antidiabetic, edema, hypoglycemic.

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of natural medicines

Edema

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Hypoglycemic

1. Journal of natural medicines

Preparations

Astianthus viminalis has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include chloroform extract of the leaves, methanol extracts.

Chloroform extract of the leaves

1. Journal of natural medicines

Methanol extracts

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology