Poikilospermum suaveolens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Balansaephytum tonkinense
• Conocephalus tonkinensis
• Procris violacea
• Conocephalus violaceus
• Conocephalus oblanceolatus
• Conocephalus ovatus
• Conocephalus piperi
• Conocephalus pubescens
• Conocephalus roxburghii
• Conocephalus gratus
• Conocephalus mollis
• Conocephalus naucleiformis
• Conocephalus sinensis
• Conocephalus suaveolens
• Conocephalus ellipticus
• Covellia grandifolia
• Covellia composita
• Poikilospermum oblanceolatum
• Poikilospermum sinense
• Poikilospermum piperi
• Poikilospermum tonkinense
• Poikilospermum molle
• Poikilospermum gagnepainii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Rosales. Finally, it is a member of the family Urticaceae and is classified under the genus Poikilospermum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several key regions across Asia. In China, it is specifically located within the South-Central territory. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it can be found in Assam, Bangladesh, and the East Himalaya. Furthermore, the species is recorded within the Indo-China region, specifically on the Andaman Islands. Together, these locations highlight its broad ecological range across southern and eastern Asian landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Poikilospermum suaveolens is characterized by a specific altitudinal distribution within its habitat. This species thrives within a relatively narrow elevational range, typically found at altitudes spanning from a minimum of 500 m AMSL to a maximum of 600 m AMSL. Within this specific vertical niche, the plant maintains an average elevation of approximately 550 m AMSL, indicating a preference for mid-elevation environmental conditions.

Elevational range max:

600 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

550 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Poikilospermum suaveolen s is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, retaining its foliage year-round rather than undergoing a seasonal shedding period.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Poikilospermum suaveolens is characterized by its distinct growth habit and structural composition. It functions as a woody climber, specifically manifesting as a liana or vine that exhibits self-supporting capabilities. While its climbing nature is a primary feature, it can also be described as a self-supporting plant depending on its developmental stage and environmental support. In terms of its overarching growth form, the plant is categorized as a tree, displaying a robust and perennial architecture. Furthermore, it exhibits an obligatory epiphytic nature, meaning it relies on other structures for support as it grows, and its physical consistency is distinctly woody.

Climber :

liana

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

obligatory

Growth form :

tree

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Poikilospermum suaveolens is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a metabolic process optimized for standard carbon fixation under typical environmental conditions. The leaf morphology plays a significant role in its resource acquisition, featuring an oval leaf form with entire margins and an absence of defensive structures such as thorns or spines. The dimensions of the foliage vary significantly, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 10 cm to a maximum of 35 cm, maintaining a mean length of 22.5 cm. Correspondingly, leaf width fluctuates between 7 cm and 23 cm, resulting in a mean width of 15 cm. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a consistent Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 172.3936107 cm²/g, a value that remains uniform across its minimum, mean, and maximum measurements, suggesting a highly stable leaf mass per unit area and a specialized strategy for light interception and gas exchange within its habitat.

Leaf form :

oval

Leaf length max:

35 cm

Leaf length mean:

22.5 cm

Leaf length min:

10 cm

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

23 cm

Leaf width mean:

15 cm

Leaf width min:

7 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

172.3936107 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Poikilospermum suaveolens is characterized by the development of specialized fruit structures that house its seeds. The plant produces fleshy fruits that vary in size, with a recorded minimum fruit length of 0.3 cm, a mean length of 0.4 cm, and a maximum length reaching up to 0.5 cm. Contained within these fleshy fruits are seeds with a highly consistent volume; the seed volume is measured at a minimum, mean, and maximum of 0.82 mm³, indicating a uniform seed size during the reproductive stage.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

0.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.4 cm

Fruit length min:

0.3 cm

Seed volume max:

0.82 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Poikilospermum suaveolens has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Tannins, Terpenoids.

Flavonoids

1. Drug design, development and therapy

Tannins

1. Drug design, development and therapy

Terpenoids

1. Drug design, development and therapy

Activities

Poikilospermum suaveolens has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. Drug design, development and therapy

Anticancer

1. Drug design, development and therapy

Antioxidant

1. Drug design, development and therapy