Melanolepis multiglandulosa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. In Eastern Asia, its presence is recorded in the Nansei-shoto islands and throughout Taiwan. Moving into the Indo-China region, the species can be found in both Cambodia and Thailand. Furthermore, its range extends into the Malesia region, specifically inhabiting Borneo. These varied locations highlight the broad ecological spread of Melanolepis multiglandulosa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Melanolepis multiglandulosa is characterized by its specific distribution within low-to-mid altitude tropical environments. This species thrives within a defined vertical gradient, typically occupying habitats that begin at a minimum elevation of 100 m AMSL. The plant is most frequently encountered at a mean elevation of approximately 250 m AMSL, indicating a preference for lowland or foothills ecosystems. Its ecological niche extends upward to a maximum elevation of 400 m AMSL, defining a relatively narrow altitudinal belt that influences the specific climatic and soil conditions required for its growth and survival.

Elevational range max:

400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

250 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Melanolepis multiglandulosa is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a growth form where the perennating buds are elevated well above the ground surface on woody stems. Within this botanical framework, the species exhibits a specialized life strategy categorized as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, indicating that while it maintains elevated buds to survive seasonal changes or environmental stressors, its overall stature remains relatively low or shrub-like compared to larger woody plants. This life form allows the plant to persist through various environmental cycles by protecting its vital regenerative tissues above the soil level, ensuring long-term survival and structural stability within its ecological niche.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Melanolepis multiglandulosa is characterized by a woody growth form that manifests as a tree. Reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 12 meters, this species exhibits a self-supporting structural habit, functioning as neither an obligatory nor a facultative climber, liana, or vine. It is an independent organism that does not function as a parasite, and its ecological positioning is strictly terrestrial rather than epiphytic. Although it can occupy various moisture gradients, its primary habitat classification encompasses aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial environments.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Melanolepis multiglandulosa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. The vegetative morphology of the plant is defined by significant variations in leaf dimensions, reflecting a dynamic growth pattern. The leaves exhibit a mean length of 21.5 cm and a mean width of 21.5 cm, though they can fluctuate considerably in size. Specifically, the leaf length ranges from a minimum of 8 cm to a maximum of 35 cm, while the leaf width spans from a minimum of 8 cm to a maximum of 35 cm. This structural variability in leaf surface area supports its physiological requirements for light interception and gas exchange within its ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

35 cm

Leaf length mean:

21.5 cm

Leaf length min:

8 cm

Leaf width max:

35 cm

Leaf width mean:

21.5 cm

Leaf width min:

8 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Melanolepis multiglandulosa is characterized by its distinct inflorescence and fruit morphology. The plant produces an inflorescence that varies in size, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.4 m. Following pollination, the development of the fruit displays specific dimensional parameters; the fruit length typically fluctuates between a minimum of 0.6 cm and a maximum of 0.7 cm, with an average length of 0.65 cm. Similarly, the fruit width shows a range between 0.8 cm and 1 cm, maintaining a mean width of 0.9 cm.

Fruit length max:

0.7 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.65 cm

Fruit length min:

0.6 cm

Fruit width max:

1 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.9 cm

Fruit width min:

0.8 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.4 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.05 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Melanolepis multiglandulosa 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 stem.

Stem

1. Virology journal

Conditions

Melanolepis multiglandulosa has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include hepatitis C virus.

Hepatitis c virus

1. Virology journal