Sarcochlamys pulcherrima

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specialized geographical distribution across parts of East and South Asia. In China, its presence is noted within the South-Central regions as well as the high-altitude areas of Tibet. Moving into the Indian Subcontinent, the species can be found growing in the state of Assam. It also inhabits the diverse landscapes of Bangladesh. Finally, the plant is distributed throughout the rugged terrain of the East Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Sarcoclamys pulcherrima is defined by its specific altitudinal distribution within its native habitat, where it occupies a broad vertical gradient. This species is found across a diverse range of elevations, starting from a minimum altitude of 300 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 1350 m AMSL. Throughout its natural range, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1100 m AMSL, suggesting a primary ecological preference for mid-to-high altitude montane environments. This elevational spread indicates an ability to adapt to varying environmental pressures, such as shifts in temperature, moisture availability, and atmospheric pressure, characteristic of these differing vertical strata.

Elevational range max:

1350 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Sarcoclaena pulcherrima is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Throughout its developmental stages, it maintains an evergreen habit, retaining its foliage year-round rather than shedding leaves seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sarcoclamys pulcherrima is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as both a tree and a shrub. This plant is a self-supporting, terrestrial species that functions independently, as it is neither an epiphyte nor a parasite. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant variation in size, with plant heights ranging from a minimum of 2 m to a maximum of 6 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 4.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

6 m

Plant height mean:

4.5 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sarcoclamys pulcherrima is characterized by specific morphological dimensions regarding its foliage and its metabolic relationship with soil nutrients. The leaves exhibit significant variability in size, with a mean leaf length of 17 cm, ranging from a minimum of 12 cm to a maximum of 22 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 3 cm and a maximum of 6 cm, maintaining a mean width of 4.5 cm. In terms of nutrient acquisition, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the availability of nitrogen within the soil rather than utilizing symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form.

Leaf length max:

22 cm

Leaf length mean:

17 cm

Leaf length min:

12 cm

Leaf width max:

6 cm

Leaf width mean:

4.5 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sarcoclaena pulcherrima is characterized by its specific flowering and fruiting structures, beginning with an inflorescence that typically ranges in length from a minimum of 0.07 m to a maximum of 0.09 m. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits that are notably small and uniform in size; the fruit length remains constant across its developmental range, with a minimum, mean, and maximum length all measured at 0.05 cm.

Fruit length max:

0.05 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.09 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.07 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Sarcochlamys pulcherrima 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Preparations

Sarcochlamys pulcherrima has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic leaf extract.

Ethanolic leaf extract

1. Chemistry & biodiversity