stinging-hair cnestis

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• stinging-hair cnestis

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Thysanus palala

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Oxalidales. It is further classified into the family Connaraceae and the genus Cnestis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread geographical distribution across several distinct regions in Asia. In China, its presence is specifically noted in the tropical province of Hainan. Moving into the Indo-China region, it can be found throughout the Andaman Islands. The species also thrives within the mainland territories of Cambodia and Laos. Furthermore, its habitat extends into the country of Myanmar, completing its regional range.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cnestis palala is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural development and survival strategy, the species functions as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting characteristics consistent with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms. This growth habit indicates that its perennating buds are elevated above the ground level, enabling the plant to endure various environmental conditions over its extended lifespan.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cnestis palala is characterized by a woody growth form, typically manifesting as a shrub or a liana. As an obligatory climber, it functions as a vine that requires external support to ascend, though it is categorized within a growth habit that can reach a substantial height. The plant's stature is highly variable, with a minimum height of 2 m, a mean height of 6 m, and a maximum potential height reaching up to 25 m. Despite its climbing nature, it is a terrestrial species rather than an epiphyte, establishing its root system in the ground.

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height max:

25 m

Plant height mean:

6 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cnestis palaula is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its foliage and distinct metabolic profiles regarding nutrient acquisition. The leaves exhibit significant variability in size, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 5 cm, maintaining a mean length of approximately 3.5 cm. In terms of transverse dimensions, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 0.5 cm and a maximum of 2 cm. Regarding its nutritional physiology and symbiotic capabilities, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the biological mechanism to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form through symbiotic relationships.

Leaf length max:

5 cm

Leaf length mean:

3.5 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

2 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cnestis palaesta is characterized by the development of distinct fruit structures that play a critical role in its life cycle. The morphology of these fruits exhibits measurable variation in size, with the fruit length typically ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 4 cm. On average, the fruit length measures approximately 3 cm, providing a standardized metric for the reproductive output of the species. These fruits serve as the primary vessel for seed maturation and eventual dispersal, ensuring the continuation of the plant population through the successful propagation of its offspring.

Fruit length max:

4 cm

Fruit length mean:

3 cm

Fruit length min:

2 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cnestis palala 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 stem.

Stem

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Chemicals

Cnestis palala has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Tyrosinase.

Tyrosinase

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Activities

Cnestis palala has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Preparations

Cnestis palala has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include stem.

Stem

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences