Red leea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Leea rubra var. polyphylla
• Leea rubra f. celebica
• Leea polyphylla
• Leea rubra var. apiifolia
• Leea brunoniana
• Leea linearifolia

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Vitales, it is classified under the family Vitaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Leea, specifically as the species Leea rubra.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning across several distinct tropical regions. In the Western Indian Ocean, it can be found growing within the Seychelles. Its range extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it is documented in both Assam and Bangladesh. Additionally, the species is present throughout parts of Indo-China. Specifically, it inhabits the landscapes of Cambodia and Laos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Leea rubra is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons within its native tropical habitats. In terms of its structural growth and life form, the plant exhibits characteristics of both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte classifications, depending on the specific developmental stage and environmental context of its woody architecture. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its buds well above the ground level on woody stems, contributing to its robust and shrub-like presence, while its nanophanerophytic traits reflect its capacity to manage growth through relatively small, woody structures.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Leea rubra is characterized by its woody growth form, functioning as a self-supporting shrub. It is a terrestrial plant that grows independently, lacking parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant height variability, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 5 m, typically maintaining an average height of approximately 3 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

3 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Leea rubra is characterized by its metabolic processes tailored for tropical and subtropical environments, focusing on efficient nutrient uptake and structural growth. As a woody shrub, it exhibits robust photosynthetic capabilities to support its dense foliage and vibrant inflorescences. Regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the plant does not possess the specialized symbiotic relationships required for atmospheric nitrogen conversion; specifically, it is not a nitrogen fixer, as indicated by the absence of nitrogen-fixing nodules or associated rhizobia within its root system. Consequently, its physiological health and growth rates are heavily dependent on the availability of nitrates and ammonium ions within the soil substrate. Its water regulation and transpiration rates are adapted to maintain turgor pressure in humid climates, ensuring stable cellular function and the continuous transport of minerals from the roots to the expanding canopy.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Leea rubra 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, stem.

Leaf

1. Journal of tropical medicine

Stem

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Leea rubra has 10 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antipyretic.

Antimicrobial

1. Heliyon
2. Journal of tropical medicine

Antibacterial

1. Journal of tropical medicine

Anticancer

1. Heliyon

Antidiabetic

1. Heliyon

Antipyretic

1. Journal of tropical medicine

Antitumor

1. Journal of tropical medicine

Cardiovascular

1. Heliyon

Cytotoxic

1. Heliyon

Diaphoretic

1. Journal of tropical medicine

Hepatoprotective

1. Heliyon

Conditions

Leea rubra has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antidiabetic, antihypertensive, antipyretic, arthritis, diuretics.

Antidiabetic

1. Heliyon

Antihypertensive

1. Fitoterapia

Antipyretic

1. Journal of tropical medicine

Arthritis

1. Journal of tropical medicine

Diuretics

1. Fitoterapia

Rheumatism

1. Journal of tropical medicine

Preparations

Leea rubra has 3 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include EAF extract, Leaf Extract, ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) of the extract.

Eaf extract

1. Journal of tropical medicine

Leaf extract

1. Journal of tropical medicine

Ethyl acetate fraction (eaf) of the extract

1. Journal of tropical medicine