Hydrocotyle javanica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hydrocotyle javanica var. polycephala
• Hydrocotyle javanica var. laxa
• Hydrocotyle javanica var. podantha
• Hydrocotyle hispida
• Hydrocotyle nepalensis
• Hydrocotyle novoguineensis
• Hydrocotyle sundaica
• Hydrocotyle strigosa
• Hydrocotyle podantha
• Hydrocotyle polycephala
• Hydrocotyle globata
• Hydrocotyle versteegii
• Hydrocotyle zeylanica

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Apiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Araliaceae and is specifically identified by the genus Hydrocotyle.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range across several distinct regions of China. It can be found growing within the diverse landscapes of China South-Central and China North-Central. Additionally, its distribution extends to the tropical environment of Hainan. The species is also documented to inhabit the areas of China Southeast. Finally, its presence is noted in the high-altitude regions of Tibet.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hydrocotyle javanica is defined by its ability to inhabit a broad altitudinal gradient, allowing it to colonize diverse mountainous and sub-montane landscapes. This species thrives across a significant vertical span, with its distribution beginning at lower elevations of 350 m AMSL and extending to high-altitude environments reaching a maximum of 2500 m AMSL. Throughout its natural range, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1215 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-altitude ecological zones where environmental conditions are most stable. This wide elevational plasticity indicates that the species can adapt to varying temperature regimes and atmospheric pressures, ranging from warmer, lower-altitude habitats to the cooler, more temperate conditions found near its upper limit.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1215 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

350 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Hydrocotyle javanica is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial herb, it maintains a continuous presence in its habitat, often spreading through vegetative means to establish robust colonies over time. This long-term survival strategy enables the plant to withstand seasonal variations and re-emerge consistently, contributing to its ability to colonize moist or disturbed areas effectively.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hydrocotyle javaica is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. This plant is primarily terrestrial in its habitat and functions as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber or a liana. It maintains an independent existence, as it is not a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, it is a relatively small plant, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.5 m, maintaining a mean height of approximately 0.25 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.25 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hydrocotyle javanica is characterized by distinct morphological variations in its foliar structure, which plays a critical role in its photosynthetic capacity and environmental adaptation. The leaves exhibit a significant range in dimensions, with leaf lengths typically averaging 3.5 cm, though they can vary from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 5 cm. Concurrently, the leaf width shows substantial plasticity, maintaining a mean width of 6.25 cm, with measurements ranging from a minimum of 3.5 cm to a maximum width of 9 cm. This variability in the length-to-width ratio suggests a specialized physiological mechanism for optimizing light interception and gas exchange within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

5 cm

Leaf length mean:

3.5 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

9 cm

Leaf width mean:

6.25 cm

Leaf width min:

3.5 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hydrocotyle javanica is characterized by the production of minute fruits and incredibly lightweight seeds. The fruits produced by this species exhibit specific dimensional variations, with a mean length of 0.11 cm and a range spanning from a minimum of 0.1 cm to a maximum of 0.12 cm. In terms of width, the fruits maintain a mean measurement of 0.165 cm, with individual specimens varying between a minimum width of 0.15 cm and a maximum of 0.18 cm. The seeds derived from these fruits are exceptionally small and consistent in weight, maintaining a constant mass of 0.00014 g, which serves as both the mean, minimum, and maximum recorded seed mass.

Fruit length max:

0.12 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.11 cm

Fruit length min:

0.1 cm

Fruit width max:

0.18 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.165 cm

Fruit width min:

0.15 cm

Seed mass mean:

0.00014 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hydrocotyle javanica 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Tropical biomedicine

Chemicals

Hydrocotyle javanica has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ETHYL ACETATE.

ETHYL ACETATE

1. Tropical biomedicine

Conditions

Hydrocotyle javanica has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include snakebite envenomation.

Snakebite envenomation

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Preparations

Hydrocotyle javanica has 3 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Methanolic extracts, alcoholic extracts, leaf ethyl acetate.

Methanolic extracts

1. Natural product research

Alcoholic extracts

1. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

Leaf ethyl acetate

1. Tropical biomedicine