Lepisanthes rubiginosa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lepisanthes hirta
• Sapindus rubiginosus
• Lepisanthes balansana
• Sapindus fraxinifolius
• Pancovia rubiginosa
• Moulinsia cupanioides
• Moulinsia rubiginosa
• Cupaniopsis godefroyi
• Erioglossum edule var. album
• Erioglossum edule var. subcorymbosum
• Vitenia edulis
• Erioglossum rubiginosum
• Erioglossum edule var. fraxinifolium
• Erioglossum edule
• Erioglossum cuneifolium
• Sapindus alternifolius
• Vitenia stilaginea

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 Sapindales, it is classified under the family Sapindaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Lepisanthes and the specific species Lepisanthes rubiginosa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across Asia. Within China, it can be found specifically in Hainan and throughout China Southeast. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it is documented in Bangladesh and the Assam region. Additionally, the species is known to inhabit the East Himalaya area. These varied locations highlight the broad ecological range of Lepisanthes rubiginosa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Lepisanthes rubiginosa is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain a stable presence within its ecosystem. As an evergreen species, it does not undergo a seasonal shedding of its foliage, ensuring that its canopy remains lush and functional for photosynthetic activity throughout the year. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and constant leaf cover enables the plant to establish a robust biological foundation, facilitating its continuous growth and reproductive potential over many years.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lepisanthes rubiginosa is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as a self-supporting structure. It is a terrestrial plant, existing independently without parasitic or epiphytic tendencies, and it does not occupy aquatic or semiaquatic habitats. In terms of its physical dimensions, the plant exhibits a significant vertical stature, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 4 meters to a maximum of 10 meters, maintaining a mean height of approximately 5 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

5 m

Plant height min:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lepisanthes rubiginosa is characterized by complex metabolic processes centered on its role as a woody climber within its ecosystem. Its vegetative growth is driven by efficient photosynthetic pathways that support the development of its climbing habit, utilizing specialized structures to navigate through canopy layers to maximize light interception. In terms of its nutrient acquisition and soil interaction, the plant does not exhibit the capacity for biological nitrogen fixation; specifically, it is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms. Consequently, its physiological survival and growth rates are heavily dependent on the availability of nitrates and ammonium within the soil substrate. Its transpiration rates and water-use efficiency are regulated by stomatal movements that balance carbon dioxide uptake with the prevention of desiccation, facilitating the transport of essential minerals through its vascular system to support its reproductive cycles and foliage maintenance.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lepisanthes rubiginosa is driven by biotic mechanisms, specifically characterized by a pollination syndrome that relies on living organisms to facilitate genetic exchange. The reproductive process is primarily mediated through insect pollination, utilizing a variety of specialized vectors to transfer pollen between flowers. This entomophilous strategy involves a diverse range of insect types, including bees, beetles, ants, butterflies, moths, and flies, which act as the essential biotic agents in the plant's life cycle. By employing this biotic pollination syndrome, the plant ensures effective fertilization through the movement of these specific insect pollinators.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lepisanthes rubiginosa has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Chemicals

Lepisanthes rubiginosa has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (E)-Isosafrole, T-Muurolol, safrole.

(E)-Isosafrole

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

T-Muurolol

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

safrole

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Conditions

Lepisanthes rubiginosa has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Alzheimer's disease, abscess.

Alzheimer's disease

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Abscess

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Lepisanthes rubiginosa has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include essential oil.

Essential oil

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences