Cyclanthera pedata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several distinct regions. In the Western Indian Ocean, it can be found specifically on the island of Réunion. Its presence extends into China, where it inhabits the South-Central regions as well as Tibet. Within the Indian Subcontinent, the species is documented across the East Himalaya. Finally, it is also widely distributed throughout the West Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cyclanthera pedata is characterized by its preference for the Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial), an environment defined by high humidity and significant rainfall. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 2800 m AMSL. Within this expansive vertical range, the plant maintains an average elevation of approximately 1425 m AMSL, allowing it to occupy diverse ecological niches across various mountainous and lowland tropical forest strata.

Elevational range max:

2800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1425 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Cyclanthera pedata is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. Following seed germination in favorable soil conditions, the plant undergoes a period of vegetative growth, establishing its root system and developing foliage. As the season progresses, it enters a reproductive phase, producing flowers and eventually maturing seeds. Once the seeds are dispersed, the individual plant dies, leaving the survival of the species dependent on the seasonal dispersal of its seeds to initiate the next generation.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Cyclanthera pedata is characterized by its growth habit as a non-woody, obligatory climber, specifically functioning as a vine. It reaches a significant mean plant height of approximately 4.5 m, utilizing its climbing nature to ascend within its environment. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its ecological niche, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, and it exists as an independent organism without acting as a parasite.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

4.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cyclanthera pedata is characterized by its specific metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies within its ecological niche. A key physiological aspect involves its relationship with soil nutrients, specifically regarding its capacity for atmospheric gas exchange and nutrient assimilation; notably, this species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its physiological growth and development are heavily dependent on the availability of nitrates and ammonium present in the substrate. Its metabolic pathways are tuned to optimize photosynthetic efficiency and water regulation, supporting its structural integrity and reproductive cycles through standard autotrophic processes.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cyclanthera pedata is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, indicating that the plant relies on living organisms rather than abiotic factors to facilitate the transfer of pollen. This reproductive process is primarily mediated by insects, which serve as the key vectors for genetic exchange. The pollination mechanisms involve a diverse range of insect interactions, specifically encompassing various types such as bees, beetles, ants, butterflies, moths, and flies, ensuring a robust mechanism for fertilization through these insect-mediated pathways.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cyclanthera pedata has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, CALCIUM, FAT, IRON, PHOSPHORUS.

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke

ascorbic acid

1. Dr. Duke

beta-carotene

1. Dr. Duke

niacin

1. Dr. Duke

riboflavin

1. Dr. Duke

thiamin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Cyclanthera pedata has 207 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Analgesic, Androgenic?.

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiAGE

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCFS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCTS

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCrohn's

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Cyclanthera pedata has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include hyperglycemia, hypertension.

Hyperglycemia

1. Bioresource technology

Hypertension

1. Bioresource technology