Itoa orientalis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Itoa orientalis var. glabrescens

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Malpighiales and the family Salicaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Itoa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific range of occurrence across several key regions in East and Southeast Asia. Within China, its distribution is notably widespread, covering the South-Central provinces. It can also be found in the southeastern parts of the country and on the tropical island of Hainan. Beyond the Chinese borders, the species extends its reach into the Indo-China region. Specifically, its documented habitat includes the territory of Vietnam.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Itoa orientalis is closely defined by its specific altitudinal distribution within its native montane habitats. This species typically occupies a vertical niche ranging from a minimum elevation of 500 m AMSL to a maximum of 1400 m AMSL. Across its broader geographical range, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 950 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-altitude ecological zones where specific temperature and moisture gradients are met.

Elevational range max:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

950 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Itoa orientalis is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a deciduous species, it undergoes a seasonal cycle where it sheds its foliage in response to environmental changes, typically during colder or drier periods, before regrowing new leaves when favorable conditions return.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Itoa orientalis is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree. This species exhibits a significant vertical presence, with plant heights ranging from a minimum of 8 m to a maximum of 20 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 14 m. As a self-supporting climber, its growth form is structurally robust, allowing it to maintain its upright, arboreal habit within its ecosystem.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

14 m

Plant height min:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological development of Itoa orientalis is characterized by significant morphological variability in its foliar structures, which play a crucial role in its metabolic and photosynthetic processes. The leaf dimensions exhibit a broad range of growth patterns, with leaf lengths typically averaging 26.5 cm, though they can vary from a minimum of 13 cm to a maximum of 40 cm. This variation in surface area is complemented by a fluctuating leaf width, which maintains a mean of 10 cm, while ranging from a minimum width of 6 cm to a maximum of 14 cm. These dimensional parameters suggest a highly adaptive physiological capacity to optimize light interception and gas exchange across different environmental conditions, allowing the plant to regulate its biomass production through the expansion of its laminar surface.

Leaf length max:

40 cm

Leaf length mean:

26.5 cm

Leaf length min:

13 cm

Leaf width max:

14 cm

Leaf width mean:

10 cm

Leaf width min:

6 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Itoea orientalis culminates in the development of its characteristic fruit, which exhibits a highly consistent morphological profile within its population. The fruit length is remarkably uniform, with a recorded minimum, mean, and maximum value all measuring exactly 9 cm. This lack of variance in fruit length suggests a stabilized reproductive output, where the mature fruit reaches a standard size of 9 cm to facilitate successful seed dispersal and subsequent propagation.

Fruit length max:

9 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Itoa orientalis 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 leaf, seed.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products

Seed

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Itoa orientalis has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 13-DEOXYITOL A, Echitin, ITOL A, ITOSIDE L, ITOSIDE N.

13-DEOXYITOL A

1. Fitoterapia

Echitin

1. Journal of natural products

ITOL A

1. Fitoterapia

ITOSIDE L

1. Journal of natural products

ITOSIDE N

1. Journal of natural products

Itoside J

1. Journal of natural products

Itoside K

1. Journal of natural products

Itoside M

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Itoa orientalis has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifeedant.

Antifeedant

1. Fitoterapia

Conditions

Itoa orientalis has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Alzheimer's disease, apoptosis.

Alzheimer's disease

1. Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD

Apoptosis

1. Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD

Preparations

Itoa orientalis has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanol extract.

Methanol extract

1. Fitoterapia