Periploca forrestii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Periploca calophylla subsp. forrestii

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. It is further classified within the order Gentianales and the family Apocynaceae. Ultimately, the species is identified under the genus Periploca.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct regions of Asia. Within China, it can be found throughout the South-Central provinces and the Southeast territories. Its range further extends into the high-altitude regions of Tibet and Qinghai. Additionally, the species is located within the Indian Subcontinent, specifically in the state of Assam. Together, these locations highlight the diverse habitats where the plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Periploca forrestii is closely defined by its specific altitudinal distribution within montane ecosystems. This species thrives across a significant vertical gradient, occupying habitats that range from a minimum elevation of 1250 m AMSL to a maximum peak of 2700 m AMSL. Throughout its natural range, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 2000 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-to-high altitude environments where specific climatic conditions, such as temperature fluctuations and moisture availability characteristic of these elevations, support its growth and survival.

Elevational range max:

2700 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1250 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Periploca forrestii is characterized by its robust, woody climbing habit, functioning as a large liana that can reach a significant plant height with a mean measurement of approximately 10 m. The stems are typically twining, often exhibiting a somewhat quadrangular or angled structure in younger growth, which provides the necessary support for its upward ascent through forest canopies. The leaves are arranged oppositely along the stems, typically displaying an elliptical to oblong shape with acute or acuminate apices and entire margins. The leaf texture is often somewhat coriaceous, a common trait in many members of the Apocynaceae family, which helps in moisture retention. The reproductive structures consist of small, often inconspicuous flowers that are frequently borne in axillary cymes, leading to the development of characteristic follicles that contain numerous small, wind-dispersed seeds equipped with a tuft of hairs to facilitate anemochory.

Plant height mean:

10 m

Physiology

The physiology of Periploca forrestii is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its foliage that reflect its vegetative growth patterns. The leaves exhibit a distinct range of sizes, with a minimum length of 3.5 cm and a mean length of 5.5 cm, reaching a maximum length of up to 7.5 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width is relatively narrow, ranging from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 1 cm. These precise measurements in leaf length and width contribute to the overall surface area available for photosynthetic activity, which is central to the plant's metabolic processes and physiological development.

Leaf length max:

7.5 cm

Leaf length mean:

5.5 cm

Leaf length min:

3.5 cm

Leaf width max:

1 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Periplocha forrestii is characterized by the development of specialized fruit structures that exhibit highly consistent morphological dimensions. The resulting fruits are notably elongated and slender, maintaining a uniform size profile across various samples. Specifically, the fruit length is remarkably consistent, with a mean, minimum, and maximum value all recorded at 11 cm. In terms of thickness, the fruit is extremely narrow, maintaining a constant width where the minimum, mean, and maximum values are all measured at 0.5 cm. This lack of variance in both length and width suggests a highly standardized reproductive output for the species.

Fruit length max:

11 cm

Fruit width max:

0.5 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Periploca forrestii has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem, root.

Stem

1. Chemistry & biodiversity
2. Natural product research

Root

1. Natural product research

Chemicals

Periploca forrestii has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2,4-D, 3-O-caffeoyl-quinic acid, 4-o-Caffeoyl quinic acid, 5-O-caffeoyl quinic acid, 6-BA.

2,4-D

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

3-O-caffeoyl-quinic acid

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

4-o-Caffeoyl quinic acid

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

5-O-caffeoyl quinic acid

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

6-BA

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Cardiac Glycosides

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

IBA

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Isovanilline

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

NAA

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Activities

Periploca forrestii has 1 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Medicinal Uses

Periploca forrestii has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, ischemic stroke, joint pain.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations