Cyrtosperma merkusii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions of Southeast Asia. Within the Indo-China region, it is specifically documented in Vietnam. Its presence extends significantly into the Malesia zone, where it can be found on the island of Borneo. Additionally, the species is distributed throughout Jawa and Malaya. Finally, its range reaches across the waters to include the Philippines.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cyrtosperma merkusii is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural survival strategy, it functions as a cryptophyte, meaning its perennable buds are protected below the soil surface or within specialized structures to withstand unfavorable environmental conditions. Furthermore, its specific growth habit is defined as a geophyte, relying on underground storage organs to facilitate its long-term lifecycle and ensure regrowth after periods of dormancy or stress.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cyrtospermum merkusii is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. This plant is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, neither aquatic nor semi-aquatic, and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. In terms of its structural habit, it is classified as a self-supporting plant, lacking the characteristics of a vine, liana, or obligate climber. The plant exhibits significant vertical development, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 2 m to a maximum of 5 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 4 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

4 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cyrtosperma merkusii is characterized by its specific vegetative morphology and metabolic profile. The plant produces substantial foliage, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 100 cm to a maximum of 150 cm, while the leaf width varies between 50 cm and 70 cm. In terms of water storage capacity and tissue structure, the plant does not exhibit succulence, indicating a standard non-succulent leaf anatomy. Furthermore, its metabolic processes do not include nitrogen fixation, as it is not classified as a nitrogen fixer.

Leaf length max:

150 cm

Leaf length min:

100 cm

Leaf width max:

70 cm

Leaf width min:

50 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cyrtosperma merkusii is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily facilitated by insects. The plant produces flowers that are white in color, with a width ranging from 6 to 7 cm. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruits that reach a maximum length of approximately 0.5 cm, with each fruit typically containing between 1 and 10 seeds. The dispersal of these seeds follows an anthropochorous syndrome, meaning they are distributed through human activity.

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower colour :

white

Flower width max:

7 cm

Flower width min:

6 cm

Fruit length max:

0.5 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seeds_per_fruit :

1-10

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cyrtosperma merkusii has 25 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ALUMINUM, Ash, BORON, CALCIUM, CALCIUM OXALATE.

ALUMINUM

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

BORON

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM OXALATE

1. Dr. Duke

COPPER

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

MAGNESIUM

1. Dr. Duke

MANGANESE

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Cyrtosperma merkusii has 291 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include ACE-Inhibitor, Absorbent, Acarifuge, Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor.

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Absorbent

1. Dr. Duke

Acarifuge

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke