Leucosceptrum canum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Clerodendrum leucosceptrum
• Comanthosphace nepalensis
• Teucrium leucosceptrum
• Teucrium macrostachyum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the specific genus Leucosceptrum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across parts of Asia. In China, it is primarily found within the South-Central regions and the Tibet plateau. Moving into the Indian Subcontinent, the species is documented in the state of Assam. Its range also extends into the neighboring country of Bangladesh. Additionally, the plant is distributed throughout the East Himalaya region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Leucosceptrum canum is characterized by its ability to inhabit diverse montane environments across a significant altitudinal gradient. This species thrives within a broad elevational range, establishing itself in habitats starting from as low as 600 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 2800 m AMSL. This wide distribution suggests a high degree of ecological plasticity, allowing the plant to adapt to varying temperature regimes, atmospheric pressures, and moisture levels associated with different mountain zones. Such a vertical range indicates that the species can occupy both lower subtropical forest fringes and higher-altitude montane ecosystems, likely playing a role in the structural complexity of its native landscapes.

Elevational range max:

2800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Leucosceptrum canum is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive shoots are elevated well above the ground level, though it also exhibits traits consistent with a nanophanerophyte classification, indicating a relatively compact growth habit where the buds are held close to the stem surface. The plant follows a deciduous phenology, shedding its foliage seasonally as part of its natural life cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Leucosceptrum canum is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as a tree or a large shrub. As a climbing plant, it exhibits a versatile habit, functioning as a liana or vine that can be either self-supporting or requiring external structures for elevation. In terms of its ecological positioning, the species is an independent organism that does not function as a parasite, maintaining a terrestrial existence rather than growing as an epiphyte.

Climber :

liana

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Leucosceptrum canum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Its leaf morphology is defined by an elliptic form with distinct toothed margins, lacking both leaf thorns and leaf spines. Morphometric analysis of its foliage reveals a highly consistent Specific Leaf Area (SLA), with a minimum, maximum, and mean value all recorded at 179.6840511 cm²/g, indicating a standardized leaf mass per area that reflects its specific resource allocation and environmental adaptation strategies.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf margin :

toothed

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

179.6840511 cm²/g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Leucosceptrum canum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, flower.

Leaf

1. Chemistry & biodiversity
2. Phytochemistry
3. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry
4. Organic letters
5. Fitoterapia

Flower

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Chemicals

Leucosceptrum canum has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Pectolinarigenin, 5,6,7-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone, Amines, Cedrol, Compound 2.

Pectolinarigenin

1. Pesticide biochemistry and physiology
2. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry

5,6,7-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone

1. Pesticide biochemistry and physiology

Amines

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Cedrol

1. Phytochemistry

Compound 2

1. Fitoterapia

Leucosceptrine

1. The Journal of organic chemistry

Leucosceptroid B

1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Leucosceptroid N

1. Journal of medicinal chemistry

Leucosesterlactone

1. Organic letters

Leucosesterterpenone

1. Organic letters

Activities

Leucosceptrum canum has 1 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antilipemic.

Antilipemic

1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Conditions

Leucosceptrum canum has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, inflammation, psoriasis.

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

1. Science advances

Inflammation

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Psoriasis

1. Science advances

Preparations

Leucosceptrum canum has 4 reported preparations identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves, hexane extract, total sesterterpenoid extract, total sesterterpenoid extract (TSE).

Leaves

1. Chemistry & biodiversity
2. Phytochemistry

Hexane extract

1. Organic letters

Total sesterterpenoid extract

1. Science advances

Total sesterterpenoid extract (tse)

1. Journal of medicinal chemistry