Desmos dumosus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning several key regions across Asia. In China, it can be found specifically within the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its distribution extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it is native to the state of Assam. Additionally, the species is widely documented throughout Bangladesh. Finally, its presence is also noted within the rugged terrain of the East Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Desmos dumosus is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, demonstrating significant adaptability to varying topographic conditions. This species is typically found within an elevational range that begins at low-lying areas of 200 m AMSL and extends up to high-altitude reaches of 1700 m AMSL. Throughout its distribution, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1100 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-elevation montane or sub-montane environments where specific moisture and temperature regimes are maintained. This wide vertical distribution allows the species to occupy diverse ecological niches, ranging from warmer lowland habitats to cooler, more temperate highland zones.

Elevational range max:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Desmos dumosus is characterized by its nature as a perennial organism, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. As a perennial species, it maintains a continuous presence in its habitat, often developing woody structures that allow it to survive seasonal fluctuations and environmental stresses. This long-term survival strategy enables the plant to establish a stable presence within its ecological niche, repeatedly undergoing phases of vegetative growth and reproductive cycles over several years. Through this extended lifecycle, the plant can invest significant energy into structural development and seed production, ensuring its long-term persistence and ability to colonize surrounding areas over time.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Desmos dumosus is characterized by a woody growth form, functioning primarily as a shrub. As a terrestrial plant, it establishes itself within the soil rather than growing as an epiphyte. In terms of its structural habit, it exhibits a self-supporting climbing nature, which allows it to maintain its posture within its habitat.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of the foliage in Desmos dumosus are defined by significant morphological variability in leaf dimensions, which play a crucial role in its photosynthetic capacity and transpiration regulation. The leaves exhibit a wide range of longitudinal development, with a minimum length of 5 cm and a mean length of 10.25 cm, reaching a maximum physiological extent of 15.5 cm. This variation in length is complemented by a corresponding breadth in the leaf lamina, where widths range from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 6.5 cm. Such dimensional plasticity in the leaf structure allows the plant to optimize light interception and manage gas exchange efficiency across varying environmental conditions.

Leaf length max:

15.5 cm

Leaf length mean:

10.25 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

6.5 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Desmos dumosus 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Heliyon

Preparations

Desmos dumosus has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include twig and leaf extracts.

Twig and leaf extracts

1. Heliyon