wax-leaved climber

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• wax-leaved climber
• Indian Sarsaparilla

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Trachelospermum gracilipes var. cavaleriei
• Cryptolepis reticulata
• Echites reticulatus var. tomentosus
• Trachelospermum cavaleriei
• Nerium reticulatum
• Echites reticulatus
• Chonemorpha reticulata
• Periploca dubia
• Cryptolepis balansae
• Periploca viridiflora
• Cryptolepis balansae var. calophylla
• Cryptolepis dubia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Cryptolepis buchananii, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Gentianaales and the family Apocynaceae. Its specific taxonomic placement is finalized within the genus Cryptolepis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be found specifically within the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it is documented in the state of Assam. Additionally, the species is known to grow within the borders of Bangladesh. Finally, its geographical range reaches the mountainous areas of the East Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cryptolepis buchananii is characterized by its adaptation to specific altitudinal gradients within its native habitat. This species occupies a broad vertical distribution, thriving across a variety of montane and sub-montane environments. It is typically found at elevations starting from a minimum of 300 m AMSL, extending up to a maximum altitude of 2100 m AMSL. The species shows a particular ecological preference for mid-range elevations, with its mean distribution centered around 1000 m AMSL, suggesting that these intermediate altitudes provide the optimal combination of climatic conditions and environmental factors necessary for its growth and persistence.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cryptolepis buchananii is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located on aerial parts of the plant, typically manifesting as a woody or climbing growth habit. The species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cryptolepis buchananii is characterized by a woody, liana-like growth form that functions as an obligatory climber. As an obligatory epiphyte, it relies on other structures for support to reach its significant height, with an average plant height of approximately 5 m. This plant is classified as a terrestrial species and exhibits a growth form categorized as a shrub-like woody climber. Furthermore, it operates as an independent organism, meaning it does not function as a parasite on its host.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

obligatory

Growth form :

other

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cryptolepis buchananii is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating its reliance on the standard carbon fixation process typical of many forest-dwelling or shade-tolerant species. Its leaf morphology is defined by an elliptic form with entire margins, notably lacking any defensive structures such as leaf thorns or spines. The leaf dimensions vary, with a minimum length of 10 cm, a mean length of 14 cm, and a maximum length of 18 cm, while the width ranges from a minimum of 4.5 cm to a maximum of 7.5 cm. The plant exhibits a consistent Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of approximately 180.156022 cm²/g across its minimum, mean, and maximum values, suggesting a stabilized leaf density and thickness optimized for its specific environmental niche. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on available soil nitrogen for its metabolic processes.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

18 cm

Leaf length mean:

14 cm

Leaf length min:

10 cm

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

7.5 cm

Leaf width min:

4.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

180.156022 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cryptolepis buchananii is characterized by a specific flowering season and the development of distinct fruit structures. The flowering period typically begins in May and concludes in July, though the timing can be variable. Following pollination, the plant produces fruits that exhibit measurable dimensions in both length and width. The length of these fruits ranges from a minimum of 6.5 cm to a maximum of 8 cm, with an average length of 7.25 cm. In terms of width, the fruits vary from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 2 cm, maintaining a mean width of 1.5 cm.

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length max:

8 cm

Fruit length mean:

7.25 cm

Fruit length min:

6.5 cm

Fruit width max:

2 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.5 cm

Fruit width min:

1 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cryptolepis buchananii 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. Journal of natural products

Activities

Cryptolepis buchananii has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of natural products