Montane Baliospermum

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Montane Baliospermum

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Croton roxburghii
• Jatropha montana
• Ricinus montanus
• Baliospermum montanum
• Baliospermum moritzianum
• Croton solanifolius
• Baliospermum axillare var. dioicum
• Baliospermum indicum
• Baliospermum montanum var. dioicum
• Baliospermum pendulinum
• Baliospermum montanum var. heterophyllum
• Baliospermum raziana
• Baliospermum angulare
• Baliospermum axillare

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Baliospermum solanifolium, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Euphorbiaceae within the genus Baliospermum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range that spans across parts of East and South Asia. Within China, its presence is primarily documented in the South-Central region. Moving into the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found in diverse locations such as Assam and throughout India. Furthermore, the species is distributed across Bangladesh and the East Himalaya region. These varied locations highlight its localized presence across several distinct ecological zones.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Baliospermum solanifolium is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a stable presence within its ecological niche. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the species exhibits a chamaephyte life form, meaning its perennially produced buds are located close to the soil surface, often protected by a layer of leaf litter or substrate. This combination of a long-lived perennial nature and a low-growing, chamaephyte habit enables the plant to maintain consistent vegetative structures and reproductive potential over extended periods.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Baliospermum solanifolium is characterized by a versatile growth habit that can manifest as a shrub or a tree, displaying variable woodiness in its structural development. This species exhibits a flexible climbing nature, functioning as a self-supporting liana, vine, or facultative climber. In terms of stature, the plant's height is recorded with a maximum of 0.9 m, though it can reach a mean height of approximately 2 m under certain conditions. It is a terrestrial organism that grows independently, rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.9 m

Plant height mean:

2 m

Woodiness :

variable

Physiology

The physiology of Baliospermum solanifolium is characterized by complex metabolic processes adapted to its specific ecological niche, primarily focusing on nutrient acquisition and energy production through photosynthesis. As a member of the Rubiaceae family, its physiological framework involves efficient gas exchange and transpiration regulation to maintain turgor pressure and facilitate nutrient transport through its vascular system. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant does not possess the specialized symbiotic mechanisms required for biological nitrogen fixation; therefore, it is classified as a non-nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms through root nodules or similar associations. Instead, it relies on the uptake of mineral nitrogen, such as nitrates and ammonium, from the soil solution via its root system to support protein synthesis and various enzymatic functions essential for its growth and development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Baliospermum solanifolium has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Phenols, Saponins, Terpenoids, ascorbic acid.

Flavonoids

1. Analytical biochemistry

Phenols

1. Analytical biochemistry

Saponins

1. Analytical biochemistry

Terpenoids

1. Analytical biochemistry

ascorbic acid

1. Indian journal of microbiology

Activities

Baliospermum solanifolium has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. Indian journal of microbiology

Antioxidant

1. Indian journal of microbiology

Conditions

Baliospermum solanifolium has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include inflammation.

Inflammation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Baliospermum solanifolium has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extract.

Ethanolic extract

1. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet