Pouzolzia zeylanica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pouzolzia indica var. alienata
• Robertwightia zeylanica
• Parietaria zeylanica

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Pouzolzia zeylanica, 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 classified under the family Urticaceae and the genus Pouzolzia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions of East Asia. Within China, it can be found spanning from the South-Central territories to the North-Central areas. Its presence also extends significantly into the Southeast regions of China. Moving beyond the mainland, the species is naturally occurring in Japan. Finally, its range includes the subtropical islands of the Nansei-shotō archipelago.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pouzolzia zeylanica is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse altitudinal gradient, reflecting its adaptability to varying environmental conditions. This species is typically found within a broad elevational range, occupying habitats from lower montane regions up to higher reaches. Specifically, its distribution begins at a minimum elevation of 300 m AMSL and extends to a maximum elevation of 2000 m AMSL. On average, the plant is most commonly situated at a mean elevation of 650 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-to-low altitude ecological niches where specific temperature and moisture regimes support its growth and medicinal potency.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

650 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Pouzolzia zeylanica is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural development and survival strategy, the species exhibits complex life form classifications, functioning as a nanophanerophyte while also demonstrating traits associated with a phanerophyte.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pouzolzia zeylanica is characterized by a non-woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a herb or forb. This plant is a self-supporting species, functioning independently without the need for climbing structures or parasitic dependencies. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species with a plant height that ranges from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 1 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 0.42 m. It is a terrestrial organism, neither aquatic nor epiphytic, growing directly in soil environments.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.42 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological profile of Pouzolzia zeylanica is characterized by its specific metabolic and morphological adaptations. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and environmental resource requirements. Morphologically, the foliage exhibits significant variation in dimension, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 1.2 cm to a maximum of 3.8 cm, maintaining a mean length of 2.5 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 0.8 cm and a maximum of 2.6 cm. Regarding its nutrient acquisition strategy, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on the assimilation of available soil nitrates and ammonium rather than symbiotic atmospheric nitrogen fixation.

Leaf length max:

3.8 cm

Leaf length mean:

2.5 cm

Leaf length min:

1.2 cm

Leaf width max:

2.6 cm

Leaf width min:

0.8 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pouzolzia zeylanica is characterized by its sexual reproductive system, specifically exhibiting a monoecious nature, although the species can also be categorized within the broader reproductive contexts of being dioecious or bisexual. The flowering process is facilitated by an inflorescence that is notably small in scale, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.001 m to a maximum of 0.0025 m. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits that are highly uniform in size; the fruit length remains consistent across all measurements, with a minimum, mean, and maximum length all recorded at 0.12 cm.

Fruit length max:

0.12 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.0025 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.001 m

Reproduction sexual :

monoecious

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Pouzolzia zeylanica 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 stem.

Stem

1. In silico pharmacology

Chemicals

Pouzolzia zeylanica has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Bisphenol C.

Bisphenol C

1. In silico pharmacology

Activities

Pouzolzia zeylanica has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. In silico pharmacology

Conditions

Pouzolzia zeylanica has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Nipah virus, encephalitis.

Nipah virus

1. In silico pharmacology

Encephalitis

1. In silico pharmacology

Preparations

Pouzolzia zeylanica has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include stem extract.

Stem extract

1. In silico pharmacology