Dactylicapnos scandens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Capnorchis thalictrifolia
• Capnorchis scandens
• Dactylicapnos thalictrifolia
• Dielytra scandens
• Diclytra scandens
• Dactylicapnos scandens var. siamensis
• Dicentra scandens
• Dicentra thalictrifolia
• Diclytra thalictrifolia
• Corydalis scandens
• Dactylicapnos multiflora

Sources: Wikidata

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 Ranunculales and the family Papaveraceae. Finally, it is identified under the specific genus Dactylicapnos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it is found throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its range also extends into the high-altitude areas of Tibet. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, the species is documented in the Assam region. Finally, it is also naturally distributed throughout the East Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dactylicaпnos scandens is closely tied to its specific altitudinal distribution within its native mountain ecosystems. This species occupies a broad vertical gradient, flourishing in diverse montane environments across an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 1,100 m AMSL to a maximum of 3,000 m AMSL. Throughout its habitat, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 2,050 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-to-high altitude zones where specific temperature and moisture regimes are present. This wide altitudinal breadth indicates a high degree of ecological plasticity, allowing the species to adapt to the varying atmospheric pressures and climatic shifts encountered as one ascends from lower montane slopes to higher, more rugged terrains.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2050 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1100 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Dactylicapnos scandens is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a climbing herb, its developmental cycle involves the establishment of a robust root system that supports its sprawling or climbing habit as it seeks structural support to reach sunlight. Throughout its lifecycle, the plant undergoes seasonal shifts in vegetative growth and flowering, often characterized by the emergence of delicate, arching stems and foliage. The reproductive phase involves the production of flowers that facilitate genetic dispersal, after which the plant may enter periods of dormancy depending on environmental conditions, eventually re-emerging to continue its multi-year existence.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Dactylicaunos scandens is characterized by its growth form as a herb and a forb, exhibiting a non-woody structure throughout its development. As a terrestrial plant, it lacks epiphytic tendencies, establishing itself primarily in soil-based habitats. The plant functions as an obligatory climber, relying on external supports to achieve its upward growth pattern.

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Dactylicapnos scandens is characterized by distinct morphological variations in its foliage, which play a crucial role in its metabolic processes and environmental adaptations. The leaves exhibit a significant range in dimensions, with a mean leaf length of 2 cm, though they can vary from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 3.5 cm. This longitudinal variation is complemented by a specific breadth profile, where the leaf width ranges from a minimum of 0.4 cm to a maximum of 2 cm. These fluctuating surface area dimensions influence the plant's photosynthetic efficiency and transpiration rates, allowing it to optimize gas exchange and moisture retention across diverse microclimates.

Leaf length max:

3.5 cm

Leaf length mean:

2 cm

Leaf length min:

0.5 cm

Leaf width max:

2 cm

Leaf width min:

0.4 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Dactylica personata (often referred to in botanical contexts as Dactylica personata or related climbing taxa) is characterized by the development of distinct fruit structures and small, lightweight seeds. The fruits produced by this plant exhibit significant morphological variation, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm, maintaining an average length of approximately 1.75 cm. In terms of diameter, the fruit width varies from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 1 cm, with a mean width of 0.85 cm. The seeds produced within these fruits are notably minute and uniform in their weight; the seed mass remains constant across the observed sample, with a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 0.00165 g. This combination of small, consistent seed mass and varied fruit dimensions plays a critical role in the plant's dispersal and reproductive success.

Fruit length max:

2.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.75 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit width max:

1 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.85 cm

Fruit width min:

0.7 cm

Seed mass mean:

0.00165 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Dactylicapnos scandens has 1 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.

Root

1. Phytochemistry
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Chemicals

Dactylicapnos scandens has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Isocorydine, protopine, Corydine, Glaucine, Sinomenine.

Isocorydine

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Scientific reports

protopine

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Corydine

1. Scientific reports

Glaucine

1. Scientific reports

Sinomenine

1. Scientific reports

Activities

Dactylicapnos scandens has 1 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic.

Analgesic

1. The Journal of organic chemistry
2. Organic letters

Medicinal Uses

Dactylicapnos scandens has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include analgesic, antipyretic, bleeding, diabetes mellitus (Type 2), hypertension.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations