Limnophila rugosa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning several key regions across Asia. In China, it can be found throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its presence extends into Eastern Asia, specifically within the Nansei-shoto islands and Taiwan. Furthermore, the species reaches into the Indian Subcontinent, particularly in the Assam region. Together, these locations highlight the diverse habitats where Limnopila rugosa thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Limnophelia rugosa is characterized by its specific distribution within varying topographical gradients, primarily thriving in environments situated between an elevation of 100 m AMSL and a maximum of 1000 m AMSL. Within this altitudinal belt, the plant adapts to the distinct microclimates and soil compositions found across these low to mid-elevation ranges. Its presence is often dictated by the availability of moisture and the specific light conditions prevalent within these elevational boundaries, which influence its growth patterns and competitive interactions with surrounding flora.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Limnophila rugosa is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons within its specific ecological niche. As a perennial, the plant maintains a continuous presence in its habitat, typically re-emerging from established root systems or underground structures after periods of dormancy. This long-term survival strategy enables the plant to accumulate resources over time, often resulting in more robust flowering and seed production in successive years compared to annual or biennial species. Its developmental cycle is governed by seasonal environmental cues, which dictate the timing of vegetative growth, reproductive phases, and the necessary rest periods required to sustain its long-term lifecycle.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Limnopila rugosa is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. As a terrestrial species, it functions as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or epiphyte. The plant exhibits a relatively modest stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.6 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.4 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height mean:

0.4 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological development of Limnophelia rugosa is characterized by significant morphological variability in its foliar structures, which play a critical role in its metabolic processes. The leaf dimensions exhibit a wide range of growth patterns, with leaf lengths typically averaging around 6 cm, though they can fluctuate from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 9 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width varies from a narrow 1 cm to a substantial 5 cm, reflecting an adaptive plasticity in surface area likely intended to optimize light interception and gas exchange. Regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from its immediate environment rather than through biological nitrogen fixation processes.

Leaf length max:

9 cm

Leaf length mean:

6 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Limnophelia rugosa is characterized by the development of specialized fruit structures that serve as the primary vehicle for seed dispersal. The morphological profile of these fruits is highly consistent, exhibiting a precise uniformity in size across the population. Specifically, the fruit length maintains a constant measurement of 0.5 cm, with the minimum, mean, and maximum recorded values all aligning at exactly 0.5 cm. This lack of variance in fruit length suggests a highly stabilized reproductive trait within the species, ensuring that each fruit reaches a standardized dimension of 0.5 cm to facilitate its biological functions.

Fruit length max:

0.5 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Limnophila rugosa has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin, betulinic acid.

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

betulinic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Limnophila rugosa has 23 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticarcinomic.

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antileukemic

1. Dr. Duke