Cissus assamica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Vitis assamica

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Cissus assamica, 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 Vitales and the family Vitaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by its specific genus, Cissus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spread across several key regions of East Asia. Within China, its presence is noted in the South-Central provinces as well as the Southeast. It can also be found in the tropical climate of Hainan and the high-altitude terrains of Tibet. Extending beyond the mainland, its distribution includes the island of Taiwan. Collectively, these locations highlight the broad ecological footprint of Cissus assamica across the region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cissus assamica is closely defined by its specific altitudinal distribution within its natural habitat. This medicinal plant thrives across a broad vertical gradient, occupying diverse ecological niches ranging from low-lying areas to higher montane regions. Its presence is recorded at a minimum elevation of 200 m AMSL, extending upward to a maximum elevation of 1600 m AMSL. Based on these distribution patterns, the species maintains an optimal ecological preference at a mean elevation of approximately 900 m AMSL, where environmental conditions are most conducive to its growth and survival.

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Cissus assamica is characterized by its growth form as a woody herb that functions as an obligatory climber. Although its ecological niche can span across aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial habitats, it maintains a terrestrial existence rather than being strictly aquatic or epiphytic. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, relying instead on its woody structural components to ascend support surfaces.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological morphology of Cissus assamica is characterized by a significant variation in its foliar dimensions, which play a critical role in its photosynthetic capacity and surface area regulation. The leaf architecture exhibits a broad profile, with mean leaf lengths measuring approximately 6 cm, though they can fluctuate within a range from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 7 cm. This longitudinal variation is complemented by a substantial lateral expansion; the leaf width demonstrates a wide morphological plasticity, ranging from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 14 cm, with a mean width of 9 cm. This specific ratio of length to width suggests a leaf structure optimized for efficient light interception and gas exchange within its native ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

7 cm

Leaf length mean:

6 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

14 cm

Leaf width mean:

9 cm

Leaf width min:

4 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cissus assamica is characterized by the development of specialized inflorescences and subsequent fruit formation. The inflorescence is relatively compact, exhibiting a minimum length of 0.02 m and reaching a maximum length of 0.025 m. Following pollination, the plant produces small fruits that vary in dimension; the fruit length ranges from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 1 cm, with a recorded mean length of 0.85 cm. The width of these fruits is similarly constrained, ranging from a minimum of 0.6 cm to a maximum of 0.7 cm, resulting in an average fruit width of 0.65 cm.

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.85 cm

Fruit length min:

0.7 cm

Fruit width max:

0.7 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.65 cm

Fruit width min:

0.6 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.025 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.02 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Leaf

1. Health science reports

Stem

1. Biochemistry and biophysics reports

Chemicals

Cissus assamica has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-SITOSTEROL, Curlone, Isolariciresinol 9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, Lupeol, Ursolic acid.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Curlone

1. Health science reports

Isolariciresinol 9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Lupeol

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Ursolic acid

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

ar-Turmerone

1. Health science reports

bergenin

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Activities

Cissus assamica has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic.

Antimicrobial

1. Health science reports

Cytotoxic

1. Health science reports

Conditions

Cissus assamica has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include pain, diarrhea, hyperglycemia, infections, pyrexia.

Pain

1. Biochemistry and biophysics reports
2. Health science reports

Diarrhea

1. Health science reports

Hyperglycemia

1. Health science reports

Infections

1. Health science reports

Pyrexia

1. Biochemistry and biophysics reports

Snake bite

1. Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology