Periploca calophylla

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Streptocaulon calophyllum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified under the order Gentianales and is a member of the family Apocynaceae. Finally, it is situated within the genus Periploca.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across various regions of Asia. Within China, its presence is noted in the South-Central, Southeast, and Tibet areas. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found specifically in the Assam region. Additionally, the species extends into the East Himalaya portion of the subcontinent. Collectively, these locations highlight a wide range of habitats for the species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Periploca calophylla is closely tied to its specific altitudinal distribution within its native habitat. This species thrives across a diverse vertical gradient, occupying an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 900 m AMSL. The plant is most frequently encountered at a mean elevation of approximately 1000 m AMSL, though its ecological niche extends significantly higher into montane environments, reaching a maximum elevation of up to 3000 m AMSL. This broad range suggests an adaptability to varying temperature regimes and atmospheric pressures found between mid-elevation zones and high-altitude terrains.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

900 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Periploca calophylla is characterized by its growth habit as a woody climber or shrub, primarily classified under the life form of a phanerophyte due to its elevated buds and persistent woody structure. While it can exhibit characteristics consistent with a phanerophyte by maintaining its reproductive and vegetative buds above the soil surface, its sprawling and climbing nature allows it to navigate complex forest architectures. In certain environmental contexts or growth stages, its structural classification may relate to the nanophanerophyte category, depending on the height of its persistent stems. This perennial lifecycle enables the plant to establish a robust presence in its native tropical habitats, utilizing its climbing capabilities to access sunlight and complete its reproductive cycles through seasonal growth patterns.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Periploca calophylloides is characterized by its growth as a woody, obligatory climber that utilizes surrounding structures for support to ascend. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite, relying instead on its own metabolic processes, and it maintains a terrestrial life habit rather than growing as an epiphyte. Its growth form is categorized as other, distinguishing it from typical herbs, shrubs, or trees due to its specialized climbing habit.

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

other

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of the foliage in Periploca calophylla are defined by specific morphological dimensions that reflect its vegetative structure. The leaves exhibit a controlled range of longitudinal growth, with a minimum length of 4.5 cm and a mean leaf length of 5.25 cm, reaching a maximum leaf length of 6 cm. This longitudinal development is complemented by a mean leaf width of 1.5 cm, establishing a consistent leaf geometry across the plant's canopy. These precise measurements in leaf length and width suggest a specialized surface area optimization essential for the plant's metabolic and photosynthetic processes.

Leaf length max:

6 cm

Leaf length mean:

5.25 cm

Leaf length min:

4.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

1.5 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Periploca calophylla culminates in the development of specialized fruit structures characterized by highly consistent morphological dimensions. The resulting fruits exhibit a uniform profile, with a mean fruit length of 12 cm, a range that remains constant with both a minimum and maximum length of 12 cm. In terms of lateral dimension, the fruit maintains a consistent width throughout its development, featuring a mean width of 0.5 cm, which aligns precisely with both the minimum and maximum width measurements of 0.5 cm. This lack of variance in fruit size indicates a highly standardized reproductive output for the species.

Fruit length max:

12 cm

Fruit width max:

0.5 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Periploca calophylla 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 rhizome.

Rhizome

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Chemicals

Periploca calophylla has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Erigeside C, Kaempferol 3-O-beta-D-glucoside, Periplocin.

Erigeside C

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Kaempferol 3-O-beta-D-glucoside

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Periplocin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Preparations

Periploca calophylla has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include n-butanol extracts.

N-butanol extracts

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica