Indian Squirrel Tail

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Indian squirrel tail
• Opposite-leaf drysophylia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Colebrookea ternifolia
• Elsholtzia oppositifolia
• Buchanania oppositifolia
• Sussodia oppositifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in the genus Colebrookea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions in Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Its presence also extends into the East Himalaya region of the subcontinent. Furthermore, the species is located in the South-Central part of China. These diverse locations highlight its broad ecological range across these mountainous and subtropical territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Colebrookea oppositifolia is characterized by its distribution across a specific altitudinal gradient, typically found in diverse forest environments. This species thrives within a distinct elevational range, occurring from a minimum altitude of 200 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 1300 m AMSL. This broad vertical distribution allows the plant to inhabit various ecological niches, ranging from lowland tropical forests to mid-altitude montane ecosystems, where it adapts to varying levels of moisture, light availability, and soil compositions found within these elevational belts.

Elevational range max:

1300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Colebrookea oppositifolia is characterized by its perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit, it is classified as a phanerophyte, possessing well-developed aerial shoots that extend above the ground level. Additionally, it exhibits characteristics consistent with a nanophanerophyte, indicating that its woody stems are relatively short, typically staying close to the ground while still maintaining the elevated bud structure characteristic of larger woody plants.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Colebrookea oppositifolia is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub. It functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite, and it is a terrestrial species rather than an aquatic or epiphytic one. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is classified as a self-supporting climber, possessing the ability to grow without being an obligatory liana or vine, instead maintaining its own structural integrity.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Colebrookea oppositifolia is characterized by a significant flowering period that spans much of the year. The flowering cycle typically begins in April, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. This reproductive phase continues through several months, reaching its conclusion in October. This extended duration of floral activity allows for a broad window of pollination opportunities throughout the seasonal cycle.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Oct

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Colebrookea oppositifolia 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. International journal of molecular sciences

Chemicals

Colebrookea oppositifolia has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Acteoside, Coumarins, Flavonoids, Sitosterol, Terpenes.

Acteoside

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Coumarins

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Flavonoids

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Sitosterol

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Terpenes

1. International journal of molecular sciences

acetyl alcohol

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

chrysin

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

n-Triacontane

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

polyphenols

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

quercetin

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Activities

Colebrookea oppositifolia has 8 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antioxidant, Antispasmodic.

Analgesic

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Antibacterial

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Antifungal

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Antioxidant

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Antispasmodic

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Cytotoxic

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Hepatoprotective

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Neuroprotective

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Medicinal Uses

Colebrookea oppositifolia has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include epilepsy, fever, headache, inflammation, nervous system disorders.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations