Stephania glandulifera

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Ranunculales and the family Menispermaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Stephania, specifically as the species Stephania glandulifera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several key regions within the Indian Subcontinent. Specifically, its presence is documented in the lush landscapes of Assam and throughout Bangladesh. It also thrives within the rugged terrain of the East Himalaya and the mountainous areas of Nepal. Beyond the subcontinent, its range extends into the Indo-China region, particularly in Myanmar. Together, these locations highlight the diverse ecological zones where the species can be found.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Stephanioa glandulifera is defined by its specialized habitat within high-altitude montane environments, where it thrives within a specific altitudinal belt. This species is primarily distributed across an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 1700 m AMSL to a maximum of 1900 m AMSL. Occupying this narrow vertical niche suggests a dependency on the particular climatic conditions, such as temperature gradients and moisture levels, characteristic of these mid-to-high montane zones. The plant's presence within this 200-meter elevation window indicates a highly adapted ecological requirement for the specific atmospheric and soil conditions found at these precise altitudes.

Elevational range max:

1900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1700 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Stephania glandulifera is characterized by its specialized growth habit as an obligatory climber, relying on external structures for vertical ascent. In terms of its overall growth form, it is classified as "other," deviating from the standard categories of herb, shrub, or tree. Additionally, the plant functions as a terrestrial organism rather than an epiphyte, establishing its root system within the ground substrate.

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

other

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Stephania glandulifera has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Palmatine, Stepharine, stepharanine, stepholidine, tetrahydropalmatine.

Palmatine

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Stepharine

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

stepharanine

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

stepholidine

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

tetrahydropalmatine

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Conditions

Stephania glandulifera has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics