ichnocarpus

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• ichnocarpus

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Echites frutescens
• Ichnocarpus volubilis
• Quirivelia bantamensis
• Ichnocarpus oxypetalus
• Echites ferrugineus
• Echites trichonemus
• Chonemorpha bantamensis
• Echites affinis
• Echites bantamensis
• Carruthersia daronensis
• Apocynum crassifolium
• Apocynum frutescens
• Gardenia volubilis
• Ichnocarpus frutescens var. pubescens
• Springia indica
• Ichnocarpus frutescens var. parvifolia
• Thyrsanthus parviflorus
• Quirivelia frutescens
• Ichnocarpus volubilis f. sogerensis
• Ichnocarpus frutescens f. sogerensis
• Micrechites sinensis
• Ichnocarpus microcalyx
• Ichnocarpus moluccanus
• Periploca palvallii
• Ichnocarpus frutescens var. leptodictyus
• Ichnocarpus ovatifolius
• Ichnocarpus sogerensis
• Ichnocarpus affinis
• Ichnocarpus bantamensis
• Ichnocarpus dasycalyx
• Ichnocarpus frutescens var. ovatifolius
• Aganosma affinis
• Ichnocarpus leptodictyus

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 Gentianales, it is classified under the family Apocynaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is found within the genus Ichnocarpus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, its presence is recorded in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. Moving towards the Indian Subcontinent, the species can be found in the state of Assam. Additionally, it is documented to grow within the borders of Bangladesh. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in diverse subtropical environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ichnocarpus frutescens is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to occupy diverse topographical niches within its habitat. The species typically thrives across a significant vertical gradient, with its presence documented starting from low-lying areas at a minimum elevation of 100 m AMSL. As the terrain ascends, the plant maintains a consistent presence through a mean elevation of 550 m AMSL, indicating a preference for mid-level elevations. The ecological range of the species extends significantly upward, reaching a maximum elevation of 1500 m AMSL, which demonstrates its ability to adapt to varying climatic conditions and atmospheric pressures associated with higher altitudes.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

550 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Ichnocarpus frutescens is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived woody shrub or climber, it does not follow the rapid cycle of annuals or the intermediate stage of biennials, but rather establishes a stable, enduring presence in its native habitats. This perennial nature enables the plant to invest significant energy into structural development, such as its woody stems and climbing mechanisms, which support long-term survival and repeated reproductive efforts over many years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ichnocarpus frutescens is characterized by a versatile growth form that can manifest as both a herb and a shrub, exhibiting variable woodiness throughout its structure. It functions as an obligatory climber, specifically taking the form of a liana, and operates as an independent organism rather than a parasite. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. The plant displays significant verticality, with a height that ranges from a minimum of 5 m to a maximum of 20 m, maintaining a mean height of approximately 8 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

8 m

Plant height min:

5 m

Woodiness :

variable

Physiology

The physiology of Ichnocarpus frutescens is characterized by distinct morphological parameters governing its foliage development and photosynthetic surface area. The leaves exhibit significant variability in dimensions, with a mean leaf length of 7.5 cm, ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 10 cm. This longitudinal variation is accompanied by specific lateral development, where the leaf width maintains a mean of 3.5 cm, fluctuating between a minimum of 3 cm and a maximum of 4 cm. These structural dimensions play a critical role in the plant's metabolic efficiency and its capacity for gas exchange and light interception.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

7.5 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width mean:

3.5 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ichnocarpus frutescens is characterized by its flowering process, which involves the development of specific inflorescence structures. These reproductive clusters are relatively compact, typically measuring between a minimum of 0.03 m and a maximum of 0.08 m in length. These inflorescences serve as the primary site for floral development, facilitating the necessary biological processes for pollination and subsequent seed production.

Inflorescence length max:

0.08 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.03 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ichnocarpus frutescens 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 flower, leaf.

Flower

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaf

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Chemicals

Ichnocarpus frutescens has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ETHYL ACETATE, methanol, HEXANE, Triterpenes, Ursolic acid.

ETHYL ACETATE

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

methanol

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine

HEXANE

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Triterpenes

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Ursolic acid

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

acetone

1. Pharmaceutical biology

benzene

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Medicinal Uses

Ichnocarpus frutescens has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, obesity, stomach cancer.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations