Calystegia hederacea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Volvulus hederaceus
• Convolvulus wallichianus

Sources: Wikidata

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 placed in the order Solanales and the family Convolvulaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Calystegia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad and diverse geographical distribution across several continents. In Middle Europe, its range encompasses the regions of Czechia and Slovakia. Moving toward Southeastern Europe, it can be found within the borders of Italy. The species also extends into Northeast Tropical Africa, specifically inhabiting Ethiopia. Finally, its vast reach includes the Siberian Altai region and the Khabarovsk area in the Russian Far East.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Calystegia hederaacea is characterized by its preference for specific environmental niches, primarily thriving within crop fields, old fields, sandy terrains, and along shores. This species occupies a distinct altitudinal band, specifically adapted to high-altitude environments where it is found within an elevational range spanning from 900 m to a maximum of 1100 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

900 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields, old fields, sand, shores

Life history

The life history of Calystegia hederaeacea is characterized by its status as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle within a single growing season. The life cycle begins with seed germination, typically triggered by seasonal moisture and temperature shifts, leading to the rapid establishment of its climbing or trailing vegetative structures. As an annual, the plant focuses its metabolic energy on quick growth and the development of foliage to maximize light interception before transitioning into a reproductive phase. During this phase, it produces flowers and seeds, ensuring the dispersal of the next generation before the parent organism expires at the end of the season. This rapid turnaround allows the species to exploit ephemeral environmental conditions and colonize disturbed or open habitats effectively.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Calystegia hederaacea is characterized by a non-woody growth form, specifically classified as a herb and a forb. As a terrestrial plant, it does not function as an epiphyte and maintains an independent status, meaning it is not a parasite. The plant exhibits a prostrate shoot orientation and is categorized as a self-supporting climber rather than a vine or liana. In terms of stature, its height is relatively low, with a minimum height of 0.05 m, a mean height of 0.19 m, and a maximum height reaching up to 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.19 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Shoot orientation :

prostrate

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Calystegia hederacea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a metabolic strategy common among many temperate species that allows for carbon fixation through the Calvin cycle. The plant's vegetative morphology, specifically its foliar dimensions, reflects a specialized surface area for light interception and gas exchange. The leaves exhibit a mean length of 2.5 cm, with dimensions ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 3 cm. Concurrently, the leaf width demonstrates a mean of 1.75 cm, fluctuating between a minimum width of 1 cm and a maximum width of 2.5 cm. These precise leaf measurements contribute to the overall physiological efficiency of the plant in its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

3 cm

Leaf length mean:

2.5 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

2.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

1.75 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Calystegia hederacea is characterized by its bisexual floral structure, ensuring that individual flowers contain both male and female reproductive organs. The flowering period typically commences in June and continues through until September, though the specific timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits that exhibit a consistent size; the fruit length remains remarkably uniform, with a minimum, mean, and maximum measurement all recorded at approximately 1 cm.

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Calystegia hederacea has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include TIGLIC ACID.

TIGLIC ACID

1. Journal of natural medicines

Activities

Calystegia hederacea has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Purgative.

Purgative

1. Journal of natural medicines

Conditions

Calystegia hederacea has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include gonorrhea.

Gonorrhea

1. Journal of natural medicines