Cissus aralioides

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Vitis aralioides

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Vitales, falling into the family Vitaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Cissus, specifically the species Cissus araulioides.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Cissus aralioides, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented within the borders of Benin, where it thrives in local ecosystems. The species is also found growing in the landscapes of Burkina. Furthermore, its natural habitat extends to the territories of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, the distribution of this medicinal plant is confirmed to include the country of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cissus aralioides is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain its presence within its ecological niche. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting characteristics of a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, which indicates that its perennating buds are borne on aerial stems above the ground level. This life form enables the plant to sustain its vegetative structures and reproductive potential over long durations, ensuring stability and resilience in its natural habitat.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cissus aralioides is characterized by a woody growth form, functioning as a shrub-like liana. As an obligatory climber, it utilizes a liana growth habit to ascend, reaching a significant mean plant height of 14.5 m. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its ecological positioning, existing neither as an epiphyte nor as an aquatic species. Furthermore, it maintains an independent life cycle, functioning as a non-parasitic organism.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

14.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cissus aralioides is characterized by its specialized metabolic adaptations to various environmental conditions, primarily functioning as a non-nitrogen-fixing organism. Unlike many legumes or specific forest floor species that maintain symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, this plant does not possess the biological machinery to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, as indicated by its status as a non-nitrogen fixer. Consequently, its nutritional physiology relies heavily on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil substrate through an extensive root system. The plant's physiological processes are centered around efficient water management and carbon assimilation, often utilizing metabolic pathways that allow it to maintain turgor and photosynthetic activity even in fluctuating moisture levels. Its growth patterns and nutrient cycling are fundamentally dependent on the availability of organic and inorganic nitrogen present in its immediate rhizosphere rather than internal fixation mechanisms.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cissus aralioides is characterized by a highly flexible flowering period and specific seed morphology. The flowering cycle is notably variable, with the possibility of blooming throughout nearly every month of the year, including January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December. Regarding its seed production, the plant produces seeds with a highly consistent mass; the mean, maximum, and minimum seed mass are all recorded at 0.11964 g, indicating a very uniform seed size across the reproductive cycle.

Flowering time :

Nov

Seed mass mean:

0.11964 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cissus aralioides has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cardiac Glycosides, Coumarins, Flavonoids, Glycosides, Sterols.

Cardiac Glycosides

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Coumarins

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Flavonoids

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Glycosides

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Sterols

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Tannins

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

polyphenols

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine