Psychotria calocarpa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Uragoga picta
• Psychotria viridiflora var. undulata

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Psychotria calocarpa, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Gentianaales. Finally, it is a member of the family Rubiaceae and the genus Psychotria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be found growing within the South-Central territories as well as in the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, the species is documented in the lush landscapes of Assam. Its range also extends into the neighboring country of Bangladesh. Finally, the plant is also distributed throughout the East Himalaya region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Psychotria calocarpa is characterized by its specific distribution within montane and submontane environments, where it occupies a defined vertical niche in the landscape. This species is found across a significant altitudinal gradient, thriving in habitats that range from lower elevations of 300 m AMSL to higher montane zones reaching up to a maximum of 1600 m AMSL. This broad elevational range suggests an ability to adapt to varying temperature regimes and moisture levels found within these mid-to-high altitude tropical ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Psychotria calocarpa is characterized by a diverse range of growth strategies that allow it to adapt to specific ecological niches within its habitat. Depending on environmental stressors and available resources, its life form can manifest across several botanical categories, including nanophanerophyte, chamaephyte, hemicryptophyte, phanerophyte, geophyte, hydrophyte, helophyte, therophyte, and lithophyte. This plasticity enables the species to persist through various seasonal changes and substrate conditions, whether it is growing as a woody perennial or utilizing more specialized survival mechanisms. Through these varied developmental forms, the plant manages its lifecycle from germination and vegetative expansion to reproductive maturity, ensuring its continued presence within its native ecosystem.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Morphology

The morphology of Psychotria calocarpa is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub. It functions as a terrestrial plant, maintaining an independent lifestyle without exhibiting parasitic behavior. In terms of its climbing habit, the species is classified as a self-supporting climber, utilizing its structural integrity to ascend or maintain posture within its environment.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Psychotria calocarpa 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. Frontiers in nutrition

Chemicals

Psychotria calocarpa has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (E)-Citral, (Z)-Citral, (epi)afzelechin, (epi)catechin, GERANIOL.

(E)-Citral

1. Natural product research

(Z)-Citral

1. Natural product research

(epi)afzelechin

1. Frontiers in nutrition

(epi)catechin

1. Frontiers in nutrition

GERANIOL

1. Natural product research

Linalool

1. Natural product research

Activities

Psychotria calocarpa has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Antioxidant

1. Natural product research

Cytotoxic

1. Natural product research

Preparations

Psychotria calocarpa has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Ethyl acetate (EA) extract.

Ethyl acetate (ea) extract

1. Frontiers in nutrition