Bandicoot berry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• bandicoot-berry
• Bandicoot Berry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Staphylea indica
• Leea sambucina var. occidentalis
• Leea ottilis
• Otillis zeylanica
• Aquilicia ottilis

Regional and Traditional Names

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 Vitales, falling into the family Vitaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Leea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across various parts of the Indian Subcontinent. Within this region, it can be found growing natively throughout the diverse landscapes of India. Its presence also extends to the tropical settings of the Laccadive Islands. Additionally, the species is well-established in the environmental conditions of Sri Lanka. These locations highlight the specific geographical range occupied by this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Leea indica is characterized by its adaptability across various altitudinal gradients within its native habitats. It thrives across a broad elevational range, typically found at altitudes starting from a minimum of 200 m AMSL. The species demonstrates a wide distribution throughout mid-altitude zones, maintaining a mean elevation of approximately 700 m AMSL, and can extend its reach to a maximum elevation of 1200 m AMSL. This vertical distribution suggests a capacity to inhabit diverse ecological niches, ranging from lowland tropical environments to higher-elevation montane settings.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Leea indica is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit, it exhibits characteristics of both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms, depending on the specific environmental conditions and the development of its woody stems. As a perennial phanerophyte, it maintains its buds well above the ground level on woody branches, while its nanophanerophytic traits may emerge through more compact growth patterns in certain habitats.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Leea indica is characterized by its woody growth form, functioning primarily as a self-supporting shrub. It is a terrestrial plant that exists as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variability in size, with heights ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 10 meters, maintaining a mean height of approximately 6 meters. Its structure is robust and woody, facilitating its role as a self-supporting shrub rather than a climbing liana or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

6 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Leea indica is characterized by specific vegetative dimensions and nutritional strategies. The plant exhibits significant morphological variability in its foliage, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 6 cm to a maximum of 32 cm, maintaining a mean leaf length of approximately 19 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width demonstrates a diverse range, starting from a minimum of 2.5 cm and reaching a maximum of 8 cm, with a mean width recorded at 5.25 cm. Regarding its metabolic nutrient acquisition, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of nitrogen from the soil through its root system rather than through symbiotic nitrogen-fixing processes.

Leaf length max:

32 cm

Leaf length mean:

19 cm

Leaf length min:

6 cm

Leaf width max:

8 cm

Leaf width mean:

5.25 cm

Leaf width min:

2.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Leea indica is characterized by the production of fleshy fruits that serve as the primary vessel for its progeny. The seeds contained within these fruits exhibit specific morphological and physical properties, maintaining a highly consistent mass with a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 0.036265 g. In terms of spatial dimensions, the seeds vary in volume, ranging from a minimum of 16 mm³ to a maximum of 40 mm³, with an average seed volume recorded at 28.75 mm³. This combination of a fleshy fruit structure and uniform seed mass facilitates its dispersal and reproductive success within its natural habitat.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed mass mean:

0.036265 g

Seed volume max:

40 mm³

Seed volume mean:

28.75 mm³

Seed volume min:

16 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Leea indica has 1 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.

Leaf

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Chemicals

Leea indica has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Gallic acid, METHYL GALLATE, (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-o-gallate, Flavonoids, Glycosides.

Gallic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. International journal of molecular sciences
3. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
4. Scientific reports

METHYL GALLATE

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-o-gallate

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Heliyon

Glycosides

1. Heliyon

Myricetin 3-O-rhamnoside

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Phenols

1. Heliyon

Quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Saponins

1. Heliyon

Steroids

1. Heliyon

Activities

Leea indica has 10 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Cytotoxic, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Anticancer

1. Heliyon
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Cytotoxic

1. Heliyon
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antidiabetic

1. Heliyon

Antimicrobial

1. Heliyon

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anxiolytic

1. Drug discoveries & therapeutics

CNS-Depressant

1. Drug discoveries & therapeutics

Cardiovascular

1. Heliyon

Hepatoprotective

1. Heliyon

Sedative

1. Drug discoveries & therapeutics

Medicinal Uses

Leea indica has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, Acanthamoeba infections, Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, antidiabetic, anxiety.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations