urn-fruit beauty-berry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• urn-fruit beauty-berry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Callicarpa dunniana
• Callicarpa incana
• Callicarpa macrophylla var. kouytchensis
• Callicarpa macrophylla var. griffithii

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 is organized under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Callicarpa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning multiple regions across Asia and the Indian Ocean. In East Asia, it can be found throughout South-Central China and Southeast China. Its presence extends to the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within the regions of Assam and Bangladesh. Furthermore, the species has a notable distribution in the Western Indian Ocean, where it is located on the island of Réunion. Together, these locations highlight the wide ecological range of Callicarpa macrophylla.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Callicarpa macrophylla is characterized by its specific altitudinal distribution within montane or sub-montane environments. This species thrives within a defined elevational range, typically occurring at altitudes starting from a minimum of 300 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 600 m AMSL. This narrow vertical niche suggests that the plant is adapted to specific temperature gradients and atmospheric pressures found within these mid-elevation zones, likely favoring habitats that provide the necessary moisture and light conditions consistent with these elevations.

Elevational range max:

600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Callicarpa macrophylla is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem over multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its stem system above the ground, typically growing as a woody shrub. Within its specific growth architecture, it can also be classified as a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its stature. The plant follows a deciduous pattern, shedding its foliage annually as part of its seasonal cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Callicarpa macrophylla is characterized by a woody growth form that primarily manifests as a shrub or small tree, typically reaching an average height of 2.5 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies, functioning instead as an independent organism rather than a parasite. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is self-supporting, meaning it does not function as a liana, vine, or any other form of climber, relying on its own woody stem architecture for stability and upward growth.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

2.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Callicarpa macrophylla is characterized by its reliance on the C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide into organic compounds through the enzyme RuBisCO. As a plant that does not possess specialized symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, it is classified as a non-nitrogen fixer, meaning it must acquire its necessary nitrogen through the uptake of nitrates or ammonium ions from the soil via its root system. This metabolic configuration dictates its resource requirements and growth patterns within its specific ecological niche.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Callicarpa macrophyllas is fundamentally driven by biotic mechanisms, relying on living organisms to facilitate the transfer of genetic material. The plant exhibits a pollination syndrome characterized by biotic interactions, specifically targeting insect vectors to ensure successful fertilization. This entomophilous process involves various insect groups, with pollination primarily mediated by insects such as bees, butterflies, moths, flies, and beetles, which visit the flowers to collect nectar or pollen. By utilizing these biotic agents, the plant effectively manages pollen dispersal across its reproductive structures, ensuring the development of seeds and the continuation of its life cycle within its natural habitat.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Callicarpa macrophylla 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. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Callicarpa macrophylla has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Calliterpenone, 1,8-Cineole, ALPHA-SELINENE, BETA-SELINENE, Chrysoeriol.

Calliterpenone

1. World journal of microbiology & biotechnology
2. Frontiers in plant science

1,8-Cineole

1. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)

ALPHA-SELINENE

1. Natural product communications

BETA-SELINENE

1. Natural product communications

Chrysoeriol

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Dendrolasin

1. Natural product communications

Holophyllin F

1. Fitoterapia

Longipinocarvone

1. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)

luteolin

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

phyllocladene

1. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Callicarpa macrophylla has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antipyretic.

Analgesic

1. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)

Antipyretic

1. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Callicarpa macrophylla has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include analgesic, antipyretic, inflammation, lipid peroxidation, uric acid.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations