Lipotriche scandens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Melanthera scandens
• Amellus scandens
• Buphthalmum scandens

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following its placement in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales, it is a member of the family Asteraceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Lipotriche.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Lipotriche scandens, is found across several specific regions within West Tropical Africa. Its geographical range includes the nation of Benin, where it can be located in various habitats. It is also documented to grow within the borders of Burkina Faso. Furthermore, the species is distributed through the territories of Ghana and Guinea. Finally, its presence extends to the Ivory Coast, completing its regional distribution pattern.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lipotriche scandens is characterized by its ability to inhabit a broad vertical distribution across various landscapes, ranging from low-lying coastal or riverine areas to higher montane zones. Specifically, the species thrives within an elevational range that begins as low as 5 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 940 m AMSL. This wide altitudinal gradient suggests that the plant is ecologically versatile, capable of adapting to the varying temperature regimes, moisture levels, and atmospheric pressures found between sea level and nearly one thousand meters above sea level. Such a range indicates its presence in diverse habitats, likely spanning from tropical lowland forests or scrublands to mid-elevation transitional ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

940 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

5 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Lipotriche scandens is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the species functions as a hemicryptophyte, meaning its perennial buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or organic debris during unfavorable conditions. Additionally, its life form is categorized as a therophyte, a trait that influences its survival mechanisms and adaptive capacity within its ecological niche.

Life form :

therophyte

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lipotriche scandens is characterized by a herbaceous growth form, manifesting as a non-woody herb. It typically reaches a mean plant height of 1 m, though it can attain a maximum height of up to 1.29 m. As a terrestrial plant, it does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, growing instead within land-based environments. In terms of its structural habit, it functions as a self-supporting climber and operates as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic relationship with other plants.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.29 m

Plant height mean:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lipotriche scandens is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes adapted for a climbing, scandent lifestyle. As a woody climber, its physiological development focuses on rapid stem elongation and the production of adhesive structures to facilitate upward growth toward light sources. In terms of its nutrient acquisition and symbiotic relationships, the plant does not exhibit the capacity for biological nitrogen fixation; specifically, it is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized root nodules containing diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms. Consequently, its physiological reliance on soil nutrients is high, requiring the direct uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the substrate through its root system to support its vegetative growth and reproductive cycles.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lipotriche scandens 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. Phytochemistry
2. African journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Chemicals

Lipotriche scandens has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl oleanolic acid, Flavonoids, Glycosides, Phenols, Phytosterols.

3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl oleanolic acid

1. Phytochemistry

Flavonoids

1. African journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Glycosides

1. African journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Phenols

1. African journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Phytosterols

1. African journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Saponins

1. African journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Tannins

1. African journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Terpenoids

1. African journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Activities

Lipotriche scandens has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticonvulsant, Anxiolytic.

Anticonvulsant

1. African journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Anxiolytic

1. African journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Preparations