Cayratia pedata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across specific regions of Asia. In China, its presence is noted throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found in the state of Assam and across Bangladesh. Furthermore, the species extends into the mountainous regions of the East Himalaya. Together, these locations define the primary natural range of Cayratiia pedata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cayratiat pedata is characterized by its preference for specific altitudinal gradients within its native habitat. This species thrives across a diverse vertical range, typically occurring from a minimum elevation of 800 m AMSL up to a maximum of 2200 m AMSL. Within this distribution, the plant reaches its optimal ecological niche at a mean elevation of approximately 1500 m AMSL, where environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure most effectively support its growth and medicinal potency.

Elevational range max:

2200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

800 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cayratiia pedata is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it avoids the complete die-back associated with annuals, instead establishing a robust root system that facilitates regrowth and long-term survival. This life cycle enables the plant to navigate seasonal fluctuations, storing energy to support continuous vegetative growth and periodic reproductive cycles. Through its multi-year lifespan, the plant can establish a stable presence within its ecological niche, contributing to the long-term stability of its habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cayratias pedata is characterized by its specialized growth habit and structural composition. It functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing its specialized structures to ascend and navigate its environment. While its growth form is classified within the shrub category, it exhibits a distinct woody nature, possessing a permanent, lignified structure that provides the necessary support for its climbing life cycle.

Climber :

obligatory

Growth form :

shrub

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cayratiya pedata is characterized by significant morphological variability in its foliage, which plays a critical role in its photosynthetic capacity and environmental adaptation. The leaf dimensions exhibit a broad range, with leaf lengths typically averaging 13.5 cm, though they can range from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 22 cm. This variation in surface area is complemented by a dynamic leaf width, which maintains a mean of 5.75 cm but fluctuates between a minimum of 2.5 cm and a maximum of 9 cm. These physiological dimensions suggest a highly adaptable canopy structure capable of optimizing light interception and gas exchange across varying microclimates.

Leaf length max:

22 cm

Leaf length mean:

13.5 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

9 cm

Leaf width mean:

5.75 cm

Leaf width min:

2.5 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cayratias pedata culminates in the development of its fruits, which exhibit specific morphological dimensions. The fruits are characterized by a relatively uniform, nearly spherical shape, as indicated by the close correlation between their length and width measurements. On average, the fruits possess a mean length of 1.35 cm and a mean width of 1.35 cm. The size of these reproductive structures varies slightly within the population, with minimum measurements recorded at 1.2 cm for both length and width, while the maximum dimensions reach up to 1.5 cm in length and 1.5 cm in width.

Fruit length max:

1.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.35 cm

Fruit length min:

1.2 cm

Fruit width max:

1.5 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.35 cm

Fruit width min:

1.2 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cayratia pedata has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Biochemistry and biophysics reports
2. Pharmacognosy research

Stem

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences
2. Pharmacognosy research

Conditions

Cayratia pedata has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include H1N1 virus.

H1n1 virus

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Preparations

Cayratia pedata has 3 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include herbal capsules, plant extract, stem bark extracts.

Herbal capsules

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Plant extract

1. Biochemistry and biophysics reports

Stem bark extracts

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences