Ipomoea murucoides

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Convolvulus macranthus
• Convolvulus quahutzehuatl
• Convolvulus arboreus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Solanales. Ultimately, Ipomoea murucoides is a member of the Convolvulaceae family and falls under the genus Ipomoea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across various regions of Mexico. It can be found throughout Mexico Central and extends into the Mexico Northeast area. Additionally, its presence is documented in Mexico Southwest and Mexico Southeast. Beyond the borders of Mexico, the species is also located within Central America, specifically in Guatemala. Together, these locations define its specific geographical range.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Ipomoea murucoides is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, though its growth pattern can exhibit variability depending on environmental conditions. As a perennial species, it maintains a long-term presence in its habitat, often establishing robust root systems that allow it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its foliage management, the plant is deciduous, meaning it undergoes a seasonal shedding of its leaves, typically in response to unfavorable climatic shifts or dormancy periods. This cycle of growth and leaf senescence plays a critical role in its overall survival strategy and adaptation to its specific ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ipomoea murucoides is characterized by a woody growth form that exhibits a diverse structural profile, manifesting as both a tree and a herb. As a terrestrial plant, it is independent in its nutritional requirements, functioning as a non-parasitic and non-epiphytic organism. The plant displays a climbing habit, specifically categorized as a self-supporting climber. In terms of vertical dimension, it reaches significant heights, with a minimum height of 5 m, a mean height of 7 m, and a maximum height that can extend up to 9 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

9 m

Plant height mean:

7 m

Plant height min:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ipomoea murucoides is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide into organic compounds through the enzyme RuBisCO. This metabolic process dictates its carbon assimilation efficiency and water-use strategies within its ecological niche. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and must instead rely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the surrounding soil substrate to satisfy its nitrogen requirements for protein and nucleic acid synthesis.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ipomoea murucoides is characterized by diverse mechanisms of seed dissemination, primarily driven by its dispersal syndromes. The plant exhibits a complex reproductive strategy that incorporates multiple modes of movement to ensure its progeny reaches suitable habitats. Specifically, its dispersal syndromes are identified as being hydrochorous, a trait that can be categorized within a broader spectrum of potential methods including anemochorous, zoochorous, autochorous, and unspecialized modes. Furthermore, the dispersal profile encompasses a wide array of ecological interactions, reinforcing its hydrochorous nature while remaining part of a complex system that may involve anemochorous, anthropochorous, autochorous, endozoochorous, epizoochorous, myrmecochorous, unspecialized, and zoochorous mechanisms.

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ipomoea murucoides 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, root.

Flower

1. Journal of natural products

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Ipomoea murucoides has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-Methylpropanoic acid, Jalapinolic acid, Murucin 1, Murucin 2, Murucin 3.

2-Methylpropanoic acid

1. Journal of natural products

Jalapinolic acid

1. Journal of natural products

Murucin 1

1. Journal of natural products

Murucin 2

1. Journal of natural products

Murucin 3

1. Journal of natural products

Murucoidin I

1. Journal of natural products

Murucoidin II

1. Journal of natural products

Murucoidin III

1. Journal of natural products

Murucoidin IV

1. Journal of natural products

Murucoidin V

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Ipomoea murucoides has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer.

Cancer

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Ipomoea murucoides has 3 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include CHCl 3-soluble extract, CHCl(3)-soluble extract, crude resin glycoside mixture.

Chcl 3-soluble extract

1. Journal of natural products

Chcl(3)-soluble extract

1. Journal of natural products

Crude resin glycoside mixture

1. Journal of natural products