Mitchella repens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide-ranging presence across several significant regions of North America. In Eastern Canada, its distribution includes the province of Newfoundland. It is also found within the coastal and mainland areas of Nova Scotia. Moving further west through Eastern Canada, the species can be located in Ontario and Québec. Finally, its range extends into the North-Central U.S.A., specifically within the state of Illinois.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Mitchella repens is characterized by its perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its growth habit and structural classification, it is identified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the terminal buds are located close to the ground level, typically protected by accumulated litter or surface debris. This classification as a chamaephyte remains consistent across its biological characterization, distinguishing its survival strategy and physical stature within its ecological niche.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Mitchella repens is characterized by a growth form classified as a non-woody herb and, more specifically, a forb. As a climbing species, it functions as a self-supporting liana or vine, exhibiting a climbing habit that does not require an obligatory attachment to other structures to maintain its form. The plant is primarily terrestrial in its ecological niche, rather than being aquatic or epiphytic, and it maintains an independent lifestyle as it does not exhibit parasitic behavior.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Mitchella repens is characterized by the production of small seeds that exhibit specific morphological variations in weight. Based on quantitative data, the seed mass of this species shows a mean value of approximately 0.003537525 g. There is a notable range of variation within the seed population, with the smallest recorded seeds measuring a minimum of 0.0023381 g and the largest seeds reaching a maximum mass of 0.004086 g. This distribution of seed mass is a critical factor in its reproductive strategy and subsequent dispersal mechanisms.

Seed mass max:

0.004086 g

Seed mass mean:

0.003537525 g

Seed mass min:

0.0023381 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Mitchella repens has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-SITOSTEROL, CAMPESTEROL, Glycosides, STIGMASTEROL, Saponins.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

CAMPESTEROL

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Glycosides

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STIGMASTEROL

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Saponins

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Tannin

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alpha-Amyrin

1. Dr. Duke

beta-Amyrin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Mitchella repens has 83 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Androgenic, Angiogenic, Anorexic, Anthelmintic.

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

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Angiogenic

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Anorexic

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Anthelmintic

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AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antiadenomic

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Antiandrogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations