native briony

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• lollipop-climber
• striped-cucumber
• Lollypop Climber
• Marble Vine
• Native Bryony
• Striped Cucumber

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Coccinia palmata
• Bryonia palmata

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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 Cucurbitales and the family Cucurbitaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Diplocyclos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed throughout the West-Central Tropical Africa region. Specifically, its presence can be noted in the nation of Burundi. It is also found within the territories of Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Furthermore, its range extends to include Rwanda. Finally, the species is documented to grow on the Gulf of Guinea Islands.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Diplocyclos palmatus is characterized by its preference for specific montane environments, typically flourishing within an elevational range between 500 m and 700 m AMSL. This species thrives in specialized ecological niches, most notably within dense secondary shrubbery and rude-ral vegetation. These habitats, often marked by disturbed ground or regrowth following ecological succession, provide the necessary structural complexity and environmental conditions required for its growth and persistence.

Elevational range max:

700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Habitat :

dense secondary shrub and ruderal vegetation

Life history

The life history of Diplocyclos palmatus is characterized by its status as a perennial herb, though its growth patterns can exhibit variable tendencies depending on environmental conditions and seasonal shifts. As a perennial, the plant maintains a long-term presence in its habitat, often utilizing its climbing tendrils to navigate through surrounding vegetation to access light. Throughout its life cycle, it undergoes distinct stages of vegetative growth and reproductive phases, transitioning from seedling establishment to the development of complex, climbing structures. Its longevity allows it to endure through multiple growing seasons, contributing to its stability within its ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Diplocyclos palmatus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb that functions as an obligatory vine. As an independent organism, it does not act as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial existence rather than an aquatic or semiaquatic one. This climbing plant exhibits significant vertical variation in its stature, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 5 meters, resulting in an average height of approximately 5.5 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

5.5 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological profile of Diplocyclos palmatus is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its foliage and its metabolic relationship with soil nutrients. The leaves of this plant exhibit a varied size range, with lengths measuring between a minimum of 2 cm and a maximum of 8 cm. In terms of transverse dimensions, the leaf width is equally variable, spanning from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 12 cm. Regarding its nutrient acquisition processes, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for its biological functions.

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

12 cm

Leaf width min:

4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

Reproduction in Diplocyclos palmatus primarily occurs through the production of seeds, which are characterized by specific morphological and mass-based variations. The seeds exhibit a notable range in weight, with a recorded minimum seed mass of 0.00798 g and a maximum seed mass reaching up to 0.01285 g. On average, the seed mass for this species is approximately 0.010415 g, reflecting a relatively consistent size distribution within the reproductive output of the plant.

Seed mass max:

0.01285 g

Seed mass mean:

0.010415 g

Seed mass min:

0.00798 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Diplocyclos palmatus has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cucurbitacin B, Cucurbitacin I.

Cucurbitacin B

1. Scientific reports

Cucurbitacin I

1. Scientific reports

Activities

Diplocyclos palmatus has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Scientific reports

Conditions

Diplocyclos palmatus has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer.

Cancer

1. Scientific reports