Erythropalum scandens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Erythropalum vagum
• Erythropalum populifolium
• Decastrophia inconspicua
• Dactylium vagum
• Modeccopsis vaga
• Mackaya populifolia
• Cocculus calophyllus
• Erythropalum grandifolium

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further organized into the order Santalales and the family Olacaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by its specific genus, Erythropalum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several key regions in Asia. Within China, its presence is noted in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. Additionally, the species can be found in the high-altitude terrains of Tibet. Beyond Chinese borders, its distribution extends into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within the Assam region. These varied locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in distinct ecological environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Erythropalum scandens is characterized by its adaptation to specific altitudinal gradients within its native montane or forest habitats. This species thrives within a distinct elevational range, establishing itself in environments situated between a minimum altitude of 600 m AMSL and a maximum altitude of 1700 m AMSL. This vertical distribution suggests a preference for mid-elevation ecological zones, where it likely interacts with specific microclimatic conditions, moisture levels, and temperature regimes found within these specific altitudinal belts.

Elevational range max:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Erythropalum scandens is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, specifically manifesting as a nanophanerophyte, which indicates that its perennating buds are located above the ground level on specialized woody structures. As a perennial plant, it maintains a persistent presence in its ecosystem through a stable growth habit. Its physiological cycle is defined by being evergreen, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than undergoing a seasonal shedding period. This combination of a phanerophyte life form and evergreen deciduousness allows the species to maintain continuous photosynthetic activity and structural integrity across varying environmental conditions.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Erythropalum scandens is characterized by its robust, woody structure and its specialized climbing habit. As an obligatory liana, the plant functions as a climbing vine that requires external support to reach its significant stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 5 m to a maximum of 10 m, averaging approximately 7.5 m. While its growth forms can be described through various botanical classifications including shrub and tree, its primary manifestation in the ecosystem is as a woody climber. Unlike epiphytic species, this plant is strictly terrestrial in its growth habit, establishing its root system in the ground to support its extensive climbing development.

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

7.5 m

Plant height min:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological development of the foliage in Erythropalum scandens is characterized by significant morphological variability in leaf dimensions, which plays a crucial role in its photosynthetic capacity and surface area optimization. The leaves exhibit a diverse range of sizes, with a mean length of 14 cm and a mean width of 9.5 cm, reflecting an adaptive growth pattern. The minimum dimensions recorded for the leaves are 8 cm in length and 4 cm in width, while the maximum dimensions reach up to 20 cm in length and 15 cm in width. This variance in leaf architecture, spanning from relatively small, narrow blades to expansive, broad surfaces, suggests a high level of phenotypic plasticity that allows the plant to manage light interception and transpiration rates effectively within its ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

20 cm

Leaf length mean:

14 cm

Leaf length min:

8 cm

Leaf width max:

15 cm

Leaf width mean:

9.5 cm

Leaf width min:

4 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Erythropalum scandens is characterized by its distinct inflorescence and fruit morphology. The plant produces inflorescences that vary in length, typically ranging from a minimum of 0.06 m to a maximum of 0.18 m. Following successful pollination, the development of the fruit is marked by specific dimensional variations; the fruit length fluctuates between a minimum of 1.5 cm and a maximum of 2.5 cm, with an observed mean length of 2 cm. Similarly, the fruit width shows a range from 0.8 cm at its minimum to 1.2 cm at its maximum, maintaining an average width of 1 cm.

Fruit length max:

2.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

2 cm

Fruit length min:

1.5 cm

Fruit width max:

1.2 cm

Fruit width mean:

1 cm

Fruit width min:

0.8 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.18 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.06 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Erythropalum scandens has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoid.

Flavonoid

1. BMC plant biology