Melodinus cochinchinensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Oncinus cochinchinensis
• Nerium piscidium
• Wrightia piscidia
• Echaltium piscidium
• Melodinus annamensis
• Lycimnia suaveolens
• Theophrasta cochinchinensis
• Melodinus crassipetalus
• Melodinus jumellei
• Melodinus khasianus
• Melodinus laetus
• Melodinus henryi
• Melodinus guignardii
• Melodinus locii
• Melodinus minutiflorus
• Melodinus monogynus
• Melodinus oblongus
• Melodinus tonkinensis
• Melodinus tournieri
• Melodinus silvaticus
• Melodinus spireanus
• Melodinus suaveolens
• Melodinus myrtifolius

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 Gentianales, it is classified under the family Apocynaceae and the genus Melodinus. Consequently, its full taxonomic identity is defined as Melodinus cochinchinenis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across parts of East and South Asia. Within China, its presence is recorded in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan regions. The distribution extends further into the Indian Subcontinent, where it can be found in Assam. Additionally, the species is documented to grow within the borders of Bangladesh. Together, these locations highlight a significant ecological footprint across these specific subtropical territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Melodinus cochinchiensis is defined by its preference for high-altitude montane environments, specifically occupying a niche within subalpine or mountain forest zones. This species thrives across a significant altitudinal gradient, with its distribution spanning an elevational range from a minimum of 1500 m AMSL to a maximum of 2900 m AMSL. The species demonstrates a specialized adaptation to these cooler, high-elevation climates, maintaining a mean elevational range of approximately 2250 m AMSL. This distribution suggests that the plant is well-suited to the specific microclimatic conditions, such as lower temperatures and increased moisture levels, characteristic of these mid-to-high mountain belts.

Elevational range max:

2900 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2250 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1500 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Melo Dinus cochinchiensis is characterized by its growth as a woody liana, functioning as an obligatory climber that can reach an average height of approximately 10 meters. This plant exhibits a liana growth habit, meaning it relies on external structures for support rather than being self-supporting. In terms of its ecological positioning, it is an independent organism that does not function as a parasite, maintaining a terrestrial existence. Although its general growth form is categorized under "other" rather than standard herbs, shrubs, or trees, its structural composition is distinctly woody.

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

other

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological profile of Melodinus cochinchinenisensis is characterized by significant morphological variability in its foliar structures, which play a critical role in its photosynthetic capacity and resource acquisition. The leaf dimensions exhibit a broad spectrum of development, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 11.5 cm, maintaining a mean longitudinal measurement of 8 cm. Complementing this length, the leaf width demonstrates a similar degree of plasticity, fluctuating from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 4.5 cm, with a calculated mean width of 3.15 cm. This variation in leaf surface area and aspect ratio suggests an adaptive physiological strategy to optimize light interception and gas exchange within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

11.5 cm

Leaf length mean:

8 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

4.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

3.15 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Reproduction

The reproductive cycle of Melodinus cochinchinensis is characterized by specific morphological dimensions regarding its flowering and fruiting structures. The plant produces inflorescences that vary in length, typically ranging from a minimum of 0.025 m to a maximum of 0.065 m. Following successful pollination, the development of the fruit exhibits significant morphological plasticity; individual fruits can be measured from a minimum length of 0.8 cm up to a maximum of 5.5 cm, with an overall mean fruit length of 3.15 cm. In terms of seed distribution, the species employs a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to facilitate the movement of its reproductive units within its habitat.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit length max:

5.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

3.15 cm

Fruit length min:

0.8 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.065 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.025 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Melodinus cochinchinensis has 3 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, stem, root.

Leaf

1. Chinese journal of natural medicines
2. Journal of natural products
3. Natural product research

Stem

1. Chinese journal of natural medicines
2. Natural product research

Root

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

Chemicals

Melodinus cochinchinensis has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin, Betulinic aldehyde, Ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one, Lycopersene, Melokhanine A.

Betulin

1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Betulinic aldehyde

1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one

1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Lycopersene

1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Melokhanine A

1. Journal of natural products

Melokhanine B

1. Journal of natural products

Melokhanine C

1. Journal of natural products

Melokhanine D

1. Journal of natural products

Melokhanine E

1. Journal of natural products

Melokhanine F

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Melodinus cochinchinensis has 2 reported preparations identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves, twigs.

Leaves

1. Journal of natural products

Twigs

1. Journal of natural products