Phlogacanthus curviflorus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Phlogacanthus curviflorus var. brevicalyx
• Justicia curviflora
• Phlogacanthus curviflorus var. menchanensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Lamiales and the family Acanthaceae. Finally, it is specifically identified by its genus, Phlogacanthus, and its species name, curviflorus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across several key regions in Asia. Within China, its presence is notably documented in the South-Central areas as well as throughout Tibet. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in the lush landscapes of Assam. The species also extends its reach into the territory of Bangladesh. Finally, its distribution encompasses the rugged terrains of the East Himalaya region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Phlogacanthus curviflorus is characterized by its specific distribution across diverse altitudinal gradients within its native habitat. This species thrives across a broad vertical range, typically found at elevations starting from a minimum of 400 m AMSL. As the terrain ascends, the plant occupies various ecological niches, reaching a maximum elevation of 1600 m AMSL. On average, the species is most commonly situated at a mean elevation of approximately 1000 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-altitude environmental conditions.

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

400 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Phlogacanthus curviflorus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it maintains a continuous presence in its ecological niche, often developing robust root systems that facilitate regrowth after periods of dormancy or environmental stress. This long-term survival strategy enables the plant to invest energy into complex reproductive structures and sustained vegetative growth over several years, rather than completing its life cycle within a single season like annuals or biennial species. Through this perennial lifecycle, the plant can establish stable populations and respond dynamically to seasonal variations in its habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Phlogacanthus curviflorus is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody shrub. This plant exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit, allowing it to maintain structural integrity without requiring external support. In terms of physical dimensions, it reaches a mean plant height of approximately 3 meters, contributing to its presence in its natural habitat.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height mean:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Phlogaecanthus curviflorus is characterized by significant morphological variability in its foliar structures, which play a critical role in its photosynthetic capacity and metabolic regulation. The leaf dimensions exhibit a wide range of developmental plasticity, with leaf lengths typically averaging 21 cm, though they can range from a minimum of 12 cm to a maximum of 30 cm. This variation in surface area is complemented by a corresponding breadth in leaf width, which maintains a mean of 12 cm, spanning from a minimum of 9 cm to a maximum of 15 cm. Such dimensions suggest a robust physiological capacity for light interception and gas exchange, allowing the plant to optimize its resource acquisition across diverse environmental gradients. The substantial leaf surface area, supported by these specific length and width parameters, facilitates efficient transpiration rates and nutrient transport processes essential for the plant's overall vitality and medicinal potency.

Leaf length max:

30 cm

Leaf length mean:

21 cm

Leaf length min:

12 cm

Leaf width max:

15 cm

Leaf width mean:

12 cm

Leaf width min:

9 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Phlogacanthus curviflorus is characterized by the development of distinctive inflorescences and specialized fruit structures. The flowering stage is marked by inflorescences that exhibit significant variation in size, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.14 m to a maximum of 0.18 m. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits that are highly consistent in their dimensions; the fruit length maintains a steady measurement of 3.5 cm, as indicated by a minimum, mean, and maximum value of exactly 3.5 cm. This uniformity in fruit size suggests a stabilized reproductive output essential for the dispersal and continued propagation of the species.

Fruit length max:

3.5 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.18 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.14 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Phlogacanthus curviflorus 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 root.

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Phlogacanthus curviflorus has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-Syringaresinol, (+)-Syringaresinol 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, BETA-SITOSTEROL, Betulin, Lupeol.

(+)-Syringaresinol

1. Journal of natural products

(+)-Syringaresinol 4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside

1. Journal of natural products

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Journal of natural products

Betulin

1. Journal of natural products

Lupeol

1. Journal of natural products

beta-Daucosterol

1. Journal of natural products