Clausena heptaphylla

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Amyris heptaphylla
• Clausena macrophylla

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Sapindales, it is further categorized into the family Rutaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Clausena.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across various regions of the Indian Subcontinent. Within this vast area, it can be found growing in the state of Assam and throughout the country of India. Its range also extends into the neighboring nation of Bangladesh. Additionally, the species is located within the mountainous terrains of Nepal. Finally, it is documented to thrive throughout the East Himalaya region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Clausena heptaphylla is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, though it can exhibit larger dimensions in certain habitats. As a climbing plant, it functions as a self-supporting climber, utilizing its structural integrity to ascend and occupy various ecological niches. The plant is fundamentally woody in nature, possessing a firm, lignified stem structure that provides the necessary stability for its climbing habit and shrubby stature.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Clausena heptaphylla is characterized by its metabolic processes and specialized anatomical structures adapted for tropical environments. Its primary mode of carbon fixation follows the C3 photosynthetic pathway, wherein carbon dioxide is initially incorporated into a three-carbon compound via the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle. This pathway dictates the plant's transpiration rates and water-use efficiency, as it relies on maintaining open stomata for gas exchange, which necessitates a delicate balance between photosynthetic gain and moisture loss. Furthermore, the plant exhibits complex secondary metabolic activities, involving the synthesis of diverse bioactive phytochemicals such as alkaloids, coumarins, and limonoids, which are integrated into its physiological defense mechanisms against herbivory and environmental stressors.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Clausena heptaphylla has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Clausena heptaphylla has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Coumarins.

Coumarins

1. Fitoterapia