Antidote Vine

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Antidote Vine
• antidote-vine

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Nhandiroba moorei
• Nhandiroba karstenii
• Nhandiroba cordifolia
• Nhandiroba scandens
• Fevillea cordifolia var. hederacea
• Fevillea moorei
• Fevillea hederacea
• Fevillea scandens
• Fevillea uncipetala
• Trichosanthes punctata
• Siolmatra mexiae
• Fevillea javilla
• Fevillea karstenii
• Fevillea punctata
• Fevillea triloba

Regional and Traditional Names

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. Within the order Cucurbitales, it is classified under the family Cucurbitaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Fevillea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide distribution across several regions in the Americas. In North America, it can be found specifically within Southwest Mexico. Its range extends significantly into Central America through various countries. It is documented to grow in Guatemala and Nicaragua. Furthermore, the species is present in Costa Rica and Panamá.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Fevillea cordifolia is characterized by its presence within the Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial), where it thrives in these high-moisture, tropical rainforest environments. This species exhibits a broad vertical distribution across various landscapes, occupying an elevational range that extends from as low as 5 m AMSL to a maximum altitude of 1700 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

5 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Fevillea cordifolia is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a climbing woody vine, it establishes itself within tropical forest ecosystems, where it undergoes a continuous cycle of vegetative growth and seasonal reproduction. Throughout its long-lived life cycle, the plant develops extensive climbing structures to reach sunlight, eventually transitioning into reproductive phases where it produces distinctive flowers and fruits. This perennial nature ensures that the species can maintain a stable presence in its habitat, contributing to the long-term structural complexity of its ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Fevillea cordifolia is characterized by its robust, woody structure, functioning as a large liana that can reach an impressive plant height of approximately 30 m. As an obligatory climber, it relies on external support to ascend, exhibiting a liana growth habit rather than being self-supporting. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, meaning it is neither aquatic nor semiaquatic, and it does not function as an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial existence. Furthermore, it is an independent organism, meaning it does not exhibit parasitic behavior toward its host plants.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Fevillea cordifolia is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes and growth mechanisms typical of woody climbers in tropical ecosystems. As a perennial climber, the plant exhibits complex physiological adaptations for structural support and nutrient acquisition, utilizing tendrils to navigate its environment. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, that would allow it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form. Instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system to sustain its metabolic functions and growth. The plant's secondary metabolism is particularly notable for the synthesis of various bioactive compounds, including alkaloids and flavonoids, which are produced through intricate biochemical pathways to serve defensive and physiological roles.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Fevillea cordifolia 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 seed.

Seed

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Fevillea cordifolia has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Andirobicin A glucoside, Andirobicin B glucoside, Cayaponoside B, Cayaponoside D, Fevicordin A glucoside.

Andirobicin A glucoside

1. Journal of natural products

Andirobicin B glucoside

1. Journal of natural products

Cayaponoside B

1. Journal of natural products

Cayaponoside D

1. Journal of natural products

Fevicordin A glucoside

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Fevillea cordifolia has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hepatoprotective.

Hepatoprotective

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Preparations

Fevillea cordifolia has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include MeOH extract of the seeds.

Meoh extract of the seeds

1. Journal of natural products