Cissus trifoliata

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Cissus trifoliata
• ivy treebine
• marine-ivy
• marinevine
• possum-grape
• vine-sorrel
• Cow-itch Vine
• Ivy Treebane
• Marine Ivy
• cowitch
• possum grape

Scientific Names

Accepted name

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 falls under the order Vitales and the family Vitaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Cissus (noted as Cissus dubia).

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to a specific region within the East Asian landscape. Its primary geographical distribution is centered in China, specifically within the southeastern parts of the country. In these areas, the species finds the environmental conditions necessary to thrive and grow naturally. Because of this limited range, it is considered a regional component of the local flora. Consequently, much of the botanical study regarding its habitat focuses on the ecosystems of Southeast China.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cissus dubia is characterized by its specific distribution across low-lying topographical gradients, primarily occupying coastal or lowland regions. The species thrives within a narrow altitudinal band, ranging from a minimum elevation of 3 meters above mean sea level (m AMSL) to a maximum elevation of 50 meters above mean sea level (m AMSL). This limited elevational range suggests that the plant is highly adapted to maritime or alluvial environments, where it likely interacts with specific humidity levels and soil compositions typical of near-sea-level ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

50 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

3 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cissus dubia is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, meaning it possesses the biological capacity to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. As a perennial climber, it establishes a robust root system that allows it to endure varying environmental conditions and regrow after periods of dormancy. Its developmental trajectory involves a sustained vegetative growth phase where it utilizes its climbing mechanisms to seek light, followed by cyclical reproductive phases. This perennial nature ensures the plant can contribute to the ecosystem and maintain its population over an extended temporal scale, providing consistent biomass and potential seed production over many years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cissus dubia is characterized by its distinct growth habits and structural composition. It functions as an obligatory climber, specifically categorized as a liana, which allows it to ascend various supports. While it can exist in diverse habitats ranging from aquatic and semiaquatic to terrestrial environments, its primary ecological presence is terrestrial. In terms of its life form, the plant exhibits a woody structure and is classified as a shrub in its developmental stages. It is an independent organism rather than a parasite, maintaining its own nutritional requirements without relying on a host for sustenance. Furthermore, it is a terrestrial species rather than an epiphyte, growing directly from the soil or substrate rather than living upon other plants.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cissus dubia has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Stilbenes, Terpenes.

Flavonoids

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Stilbenes

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Terpenes

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Activities

Cissus dubia has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antitumor, Cytotoxic.

Antibacterial

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Anticancer

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Antitumor

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Cytotoxic

1. International journal of molecular sciences