Knoxia sumatrensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dentillaria corymbosa
• Dentillaria heyneana
• Dentillaria mollis
• Knoxia teres
• Knoxia heyneana
• Cuncea trifida
• Spermacoce exserta
• Spermacoce teres
• Knoxia corymbosa
• Knoxia corymbosa var. parviflora
• Ernodea nepalensis
• Knoxia stricta var. parviflora
• Spermacoce sumatrensis
• Timonius malaccensis
• Knoxia sumatrensis var. linearis
• Knoxia umbellata
• Knoxia umbellifera
• Knoxia mollis
• Knoxia linearis
• Knoxia exserta
• Knoxia mollis var. subcapitata

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 Rubiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Knoxia, specifically as the species Knoxia sumatrensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions of East Asia. In China, its presence is noted in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. The species also extends its range to the Nansei-shoto islands within Eastern Asia. Furthermore, it can be found growing naturally in Taiwan. Collectively, these locations highlight the specific tropical and subtropical habitats where the plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Knoxia sumatrensis is defined by its specific altitudinal distribution, as it thrives across a diverse vertical gradient within its habitat. This species is primarily found inhabiting environments ranging from low-lying areas at an elevation of 150 m AMSL up to montane regions reaching a maximum of 1400 m AMSL. This wide elevational range suggests an ecological plasticity that allows the plant to adapt to varying temperature regimes, atmospheric pressures, and moisture levels found between subtropical lowlands and higher-altitude forest zones.

Elevational range max:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

150 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Knoxia sumatrensis is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit and ecological classification, the species functions as a chamaephyte, meaning its perennating buds are located near or just above the soil surface. This specific life form, categorized under the chamaephyte group, enables the plant to maintain its regenerative capacity close to the ground, ensuring its survival and continued development within its natural habitat.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Knoxia sumatraensis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial habit. The plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species, with a plant height that ranges from a minimum of 0 m to a maximum of 0.9 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.9 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological structure of the foliage in Knoxia sumatrensis is characterized by distinct morphological variations in leaf dimensions that facilitate its metabolic processes. The leaves exhibit a significant range in longitudinal development, with lengths measuring from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 8 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variance is a specific breadth profile, where the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 0.8 cm and a maximum of 3.5 cm. These varying dimensions suggest a specialized surface area optimization, allowing the plant to manage gas exchange and photosynthetic efficiency across different stages of growth or environmental conditions.

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length min:

2.5 cm

Leaf width max:

3.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.8 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Knoxia sumatrensis has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Noreugenin, Undulatoside A, quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside.

Noreugenin

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Undulatoside A

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Preparations

Knoxia sumatrensis has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include whole plant.

Whole plant

1. Journal of Asian natural products research