Trellis-vine

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Trellis-vine
• pergularia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Doemia forskaolii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianaales, it is a member of the family Apocynaceae. Ultimately, its scientific identity is defined by the genus Pergularia, specifically the species Pergularia daemia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent. In Northern Africa, its presence is noted specifically within Algeria. Moving toward the West Tropical Africa region, the species can be found in Benin and Burkina. It also maintains a significant range within the territories of Gambia and Ghana. Consequently, these diverse locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive across varied West African landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pergularia daemia is characterized by its ability to thrive within specific altitudinal limits, predominantly occupying environments up to an elevational range maximum of 1200 m AMSL. While specific detailed habitat classifications for this species are often undocumented or not explicitly categorized in certain ecological datasets, its distribution is fundamentally governed by these vertical constraints. The plant's survival and proliferation are closely linked to the environmental conditions found within this specific altitudinal belt, which dictates the available moisture, temperature fluctuations, and soil composition necessary for its growth.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Habitat :

-

Life history

The life history of Pergularia daemia is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. In terms of its structural growth habit and ecological positioning, the species exhibits a chamaephyte life form, meaning its perennating buds are located near or just above the soil surface, which influences its ability to survive varying environmental conditions and seasonal changes.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pergularia daemia is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb that functions as an obligatory liana. This terrestrial plant exhibits a climbing habit, utilizing other structures for support rather than being self-supporting. In terms of stature, it is a significant climber with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 6 meters, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 3 meters. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior and grows in terrestrial environments rather than aquatic or epiphytic habitats.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Plant height mean:

3 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pergularia daemia is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes and growth patterns, which are adapted to its specific ecological niches. As a climbing shrub, its physiological drive is directed toward rapid vertical elongation and the development of tendrils to facilitate light interception. The plant exhibits a complex secondary metabolism, primarily centered on the synthesis of cardiac glycosides, which serve as a chemical defense mechanism against herbivory. In terms of nutrient acquisition and soil interaction, the plant does not engage in symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria for atmospheric gas conversion; specifically, it is not a nitrogen fixer (trait_1: nitrogen fixer, trait_2: nitrogen_fix_1, trait_value: no). Its nutritional requirements are met through the uptake of inorganic nitrogen compounds, such as nitrates and ammonium, from the soil via its root system. Furthermore, its photosynthetic efficiency and water regulation are governed by stomatal movements and osmotic adjustments that allow it to maintain turgor pressure and metabolic activity under varying environmental stressors.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pergularia daemia is primarily characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit specific morphological and mass-related variations. The seed mass within this species shows a measurable range, with a recorded minimum value of 0.00609 g and a maximum value reaching 0.01188 g. When considering the overall population, the average seed mass is approximately 0.00830416666666667 g. These quantitative metrics reflect the biological investment in seed development, which is a critical component of the plant's life cycle and dispersal strategy.

Seed mass max:

0.01188 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00830416666666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.00609 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Pergularia daemia 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Malaria journal

Chemicals

Pergularia daemia has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROFORM, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Chrysoeriol, ETHYL ACETATE, Evodiamine.

CHLOROFORM

1. Veterinary parasitology

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Die Naturwissenschaften

Chrysoeriol

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

ETHYL ACETATE

1. Veterinary parasitology

Evodiamine

1. Die Naturwissenschaften

HEXANE

1. Veterinary parasitology

TAXIFOLIN

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

acetone

1. Veterinary parasitology

formononetin

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

methanol

1. Veterinary parasitology

Activities

Pergularia daemia has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Neuroprotective.

Antioxidant

1. Die Naturwissenschaften

Neuroprotective

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Pergularia daemia has 19 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include arthritis, epilepsy, inflammation, Plasmodium falciparum, anemia.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations