Thorowax Foldwing

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Thorowax Foldwing

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dicliptera cardiocarpa
• Dicliptera roxburghiana var. bupleuroides
• Dicliptera bupleuroides var. sessilis
• Dicliptera bupleuroides var. roxburghiana
• Dicliptera bupleuroides var. ciliata
• Dicliptera bupleuroides var. nazimii
• Dicliptera bupleuroides var. qaiseri
• Dicliptera hirtula
• Dicliptera roxburghii
• Dicliptera rupestris

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Dicliptera bupleuroides, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling under the order Lamiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Acanthaceae within the genus Dicliptera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct regions of Asia. In Western Asia, its presence has been documented within the country of Afghanistan. Moving toward East Asia, it can be found specifically in South-Central China. The Indian Subcontinent serves as another significant habitat, with recorded sightings in Bangladesh and the state of Assam. Additionally, the species is known to thrive within the mountainous terrain of the East Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dicliptera bupleuroides is characterized by its adaptability across a broad altitudinal gradient, allowing it to inhabit diverse montane and sub-montane landscapes. This species thrives within a wide elevational range, spanning from a minimum altitude of 200 m AMSL to a maximum peak of 2600 m AMSL. The distribution of the plant is centered around a mean elevation of approximately 1000 m AMSL, suggesting that while it can tolerate lowland conditions, its ecological niche is most optimally realized in mid-elevation habitats. This vertical distribution indicates a capacity to endure varying temperature regimes and atmospheric pressures associated with shifting mountain terrains.

Elevational range max:

2600 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Dicliptera bupleuroides is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, meaning it maintains its physiological functions and structure over multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a perennial, the plant demonstrates a sustained biological presence in its habitat, allowing it to establish robust root systems and accumulate energy reserves that support repeated reproductive efforts over time. This long-term life cycle enables the species to persist through varying environmental conditions and seasonal shifts, providing a stable foundation for its ecological role within its native range.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Dicliptera bupleuroides is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, typically reaching an average plant height of approximately 0.5 m. As a self-supporting organism, it does not function as a climber or a liana, maintaining its structure independently without the need for external support. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, neither being aquatic nor acting as an epiphyte. Furthermore, it is an independent species that does not exhibit parasitic behavior, maintaining a standard herbaceous habit throughout its life cycle.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Dicliptera bupleuroides is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its foliage, which reflect its vegetative development and photosynthetic capacity. The leaf structure exhibits a notable range of variation, with leaf lengths typically measuring a mean of 5.25 cm, though they can fluctuate from a minimum of 3.5 cm to a maximum of 7 cm. Accompanying this longitudinal variability is a corresponding width profile, where the leaf width maintains a mean of 2.3 cm, ranging from a minimum of 1.8 cm to a maximum of 2.8 cm. These dimensional parameters suggest a controlled surface area optimization essential for the plant's metabolic processes and environmental adaptation.

Leaf length max:

7 cm

Leaf length mean:

5.25 cm

Leaf length min:

3.5 cm

Leaf width max:

2.8 cm

Leaf width mean:

2.3 cm

Leaf width min:

1.8 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Dicliptera bupleuroides is characterized by a significant flowering window that allows for extended reproductive activity throughout much of the year. The flowering period typically begins in May, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. This reproductive phase extends through the subsequent months, reaching its conclusion in December. This broad seasonal availability suggests a flexible flowering phenology that spans most of the year, facilitating potential pollination opportunities across various seasonal transitions.

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Dec

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Dicliptera bupleuroides has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include DECANEDIOIC ACID, Fatty acids, Gallic acid, HEXATRIACONTANE, Hexadecanoic acid.

DECANEDIOIC ACID

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Fatty acids

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Gallic acid

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

HEXATRIACONTANE

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Hexadecanoic acid

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

NONACOSANE

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

SINAPIC ACID

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Sterols

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

caffeic acid

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Activities

Dicliptera bupleuroides has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal.

Antibacterial

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Antifungal

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Conditions

Dicliptera bupleuroides has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include inflammation.

Inflammation

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Preparations

Dicliptera bupleuroides has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanolic extracts.

Methanolic extracts

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences