Cynanchum otophyllum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Vincetoxicum otophyllum
• Cyathella otophylla

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further organized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianales, falling into the family Apocynaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Cynanchum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several key regions within China. It is documented to grow in the South-Central parts of the country. Additionally, its presence is noted throughout the Southeast region of China. The species can also be found inhabiting the high-altitude areas of Tibet. Together, these locations define the primary natural range for Cynanchum otophyllum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cynanchum otophyllum is characterized by its specific distribution across montane landscapes, where it occupies a distinct vertical niche. This species thrives within a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from a minimum elevation of 1400 m AMSL to a maximum of 2800 m AMSL. Within this environmental spectrum, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 2150 m AMSL, indicating a preference for mid-to-high altitude ecosystems. This elevational positioning suggests that the plant is adapted to the specific temperature regimes, atmospheric pressures, and moisture availability found within these specific mountain belts.

Elevational range max:

2800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2150 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1400 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cynanchum otophyllum is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its habitat across multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it does not complete its biological cycle in a single year like annuals or two years like biennials, but instead establishes a long-term presence through continuous vegetative growth and periodic reproductive cycles. This life strategy enables the plant to accumulate resources over time, enhancing its ability to withstand environmental fluctuations and ensuring sustained contributions to the local ecosystem through successive flowering and seeding events.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Physiology

The physiology of Cynanchum otophyllum is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its foliage that reflect its vegetative development and photosynthetic capacity. The leaf structure exhibits notable variability in size, with leaf lengths typically ranging from a minimum of 7 cm to a mean of 8.5 cm, reaching a maximum potential of 10 cm. Complementing this longitudinal growth, the leaf width shows a corresponding range, starting from a minimum of 4 cm and maintaining a mean width of 6 cm, while peaking at a maximum width of 8 cm. These dimensional parameters suggest a robust leaf surface area designed to optimize light interception and gas exchange, which are essential for the plant's metabolic processes and overall physiological vigor.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

8.5 cm

Leaf length min:

7 cm

Leaf width max:

8 cm

Leaf width mean:

6 cm

Leaf width min:

4 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cynanchum otophyllum culminates in the development of characteristic fruits that exhibit highly consistent morphological dimensions. The fruit production is marked by a uniform size profile, where the length remains constant at a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 8 cm. Similarly, the width of the fruit shows no significant variation, maintaining a consistent measurement across its minimum, mean, and maximum values of 1 cm. This lack of variance in both fruit length and width suggests a highly stabilized reproductive output in terms of fruit dimensions during its fruiting stage.

Fruit length max:

8 cm

Fruit width max:

1 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cynanchum otophyllum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, rhizome.

Root

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters
2. Fitoterapia

Rhizome

1. Steroids

Chemicals

Cynanchum otophyllum has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Otophylloside B, COMPOUND 9, Compound 14, Compound 2, Compound 5.

Otophylloside B

1. Scientia Sinica. Series B, Chemical, biological, agricultural, medical & earth sciences
2. Natural products and bioprospecting

COMPOUND 9

1. Fitoterapia

Compound 14

1. Fitoterapia

Compound 2

1. Fitoterapia

Compound 5

1. Fitoterapia

Compound 7

1. Fitoterapia

Compound-4

1. Fitoterapia

Otophylloside A

1. Scientia Sinica. Series B, Chemical, biological, agricultural, medical & earth sciences

compound 12

1. Fitoterapia

compound 8

1. Fitoterapia

Conditions

Cynanchum otophyllum has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease.

Epilepsy

1. Scientia Sinica. Series B, Chemical, biological, agricultural, medical & earth sciences
2. Natural products and bioprospecting

Alzheimer's disease

1. Natural products and bioprospecting

Preparations

Cynanchum otophyllum has 2 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include roots, antidepressant active fraction.

Roots

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters
2. Fitoterapia

Antidepressant active fraction

1. Fitoterapia