Narrow-leaved Screwtree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Narrow-leaved Screwtree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Helicteres parviflora
• Helicteres virgata
• Helicteres angustifolia var. acuminatissima
• Helicteres angustifolia var. gaudichaudii
• Helicteres angustifolia var. glaucoides
• Oudemansia integerrima var. angustifolia
• Oudemansia virgata
• Helicteres salicifolia
• Helicteres angustifolia var. meyeniana
• Helicteres angustifolia var. naumanniana
• Helicteres angustifolia var. virgata
• Oudemansia javensis var. angustifolia

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 Malvales and the family Malvaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Helicteres.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range primarily concentrated within East Asia. In mainland China, its distribution encompasses the South-Central and Southeast regions. Furthermore, it can be found growing on the tropical island of Hainan. The species also extends its reach to the island of Taiwan. Finally, its habitat includes the Nansei-shoto islands located within Eastern Asia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Helicteres angustifolia is characterized by its growth habit and structural development, which classifies it primarily as a phanerophyte, as its perennating buds are located high above the ground on woody stems. Depending on the specific environmental conditions and the developmental stage of the vegetation, its life form may also exhibit characteristics of a nanophanerophyte, where the reproductive and vegetative structures are maintained at a relatively low height compared to larger woody species. This growth strategy allows the plant to persist through seasonal changes by protecting its buds on elevated branches, ensuring its continuity within its ecological niche.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Helicteres angustifolia is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 2 meters. It functions as a self-supporting plant, categorized as both a self-supporting climber and a non-obligatory liana or vine structure, though it maintains a primarily upright shrubby habit. The species is terrestrial in nature, rather than aquatic or epiphytic, and exists as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody texture, which supports its development within its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Helicteres angustifolia is characterized by a metabolic framework governed by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and water-use efficiency. In this pathway, the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide is mediated by the enzyme RuBisCO, which catalyzes the carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate to produce two molecules of 3-phosphoglycerate. This metabolic strategy implies that the plant primarily undergoes photorespiration under high temperature or low CO2 concentrations, a common physiological trait among many woody dicotyledonous species. The efficiency of its energy conversion and biomass accumulation is directly linked to this C3 mechanism, influencing its transpiration rates and nutrient uptake patterns within its specific ecological niche.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Helicteres angustifolia is characterized by the production of highly uniform seeds, which play a critical role in its life cycle and dispersal mechanisms. Quantitative analysis of its reproductive output reveals that the seeds are exceptionally lightweight, maintaining a consistent mass across all sampled specimens. The seed mass is recorded at a mean value of 0.00199 g, a figure that is mirrored by both the maximum and minimum recorded values of 0.00199 g. This lack of variance in seed mass suggests a highly standardized reproductive strategy, ensuring that each seed possesses identical nutritional reserves and physical properties to facilitate germination and survival within its natural habitat.

Seed mass mean:

0.00199 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Helicteres angustifolia has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, stem.

Root

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Stem

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Chemicals

Helicteres angustifolia has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Helicteric acid, Helicterilic acid, Lupeol, OLEANOLIC ACID, betulinic acid.

Helicteric acid

1. BMC plant biology

Helicterilic acid

1. BMC plant biology

Lupeol

1. BMC plant biology

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. BMC plant biology

betulinic acid

1. BMC plant biology

Activities

Helicteres angustifolia has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic.

Analgesic

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Medicinal Uses

Helicteres angustifolia has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include tumor.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations