Pilea cavaleriei

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pilea peploides var. cavaleriei

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Pilea cavaleriei, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Rosales. Furthermore, it is a member of the family Urticaceae and the genus Pilea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range spread across several distinct regions. In China, it can be found throughout the South-Central areas of the country. Additionally, its presence extends into the Southeast portions of China. Beyond East Asia, the species is also located within the Indian Subcontinent. Specifically, it inhabits the mountainous terrain of the East Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pilea cavaleriei is defined by its specific altitudinal distribution within its natural habitat, occupying a diverse range of vertical strata. This species is found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 200 m AMSL to a maximum of 1500 m AMSL, allowing it to inhabit various microclimates within this gradient. On average, the plant thrives at a mean elevation of 725 m AMSL, a positioning that likely dictates its exposure to specific temperature regimes, moisture availability, and light intensities characteristic of its ecological niche.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

725 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Pilea cavalieriei is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, exhibiting a soft, succulent-like structure. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, as it maintains a primarily terrestrial existence. While it can inhabit environments ranging from aquatic to semiaquatic settings, its fundamental habit is terrestrial. In terms of its structural support and orientation, the plant is described as a self-supporting species rather than a climbing liana or vine, allowing it to maintain its upright or spreading herbaceous stature without the need for external structures for attachment.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pilea cavalieri is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and environmental adaptation strategies. The morphological development of its foliage is defined by specific dimensional parameters, where the leaves exhibit a mean length of 1.4 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 2 cm. Complementing this longitudinal growth, the leaf width shows significant variability, maintaining a mean width of 1.2 cm, with dimensions fluctuating between a minimum of 0.6 cm and a maximum of 1.8 cm. These physiological dimensions and its metabolic pathway collectively define its growth patterns and resource utilization efficiency.

Leaf length max:

2 cm

Leaf length mean:

1.4 cm

Leaf length min:

0.8 cm

Leaf width max:

1.8 cm

Leaf width mean:

1.2 cm

Leaf width min:

0.6 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pilea cavelierii is characterized by its specific inflorescence and fruit dimensions. The plant produces inflorescences that typically range in length from a minimum of 0.01 m to a maximum of 0.02 m. Following pollination, the development of the fruit is highly consistent, with both the minimum, mean, and maximum fruit lengths recorded at a uniform 0.07 cm, indicating a very stable and precise size for the reproductive structures of this species.

Fruit length max:

0.07 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.02 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.01 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Pilea cavaleriei has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include trans isomer.

trans isomer

1. Natural product research

Conditions

Pilea cavaleriei has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis h37rv

1. Natural product research

Preparations

Pilea cavaleriei has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include whole plants.

Whole plants

1. Natural product research