Stephania pierrei

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Stephania erecta

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ranunculales, falling into the family Menispermaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Stephania.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is found across several regions within the Indo-China territory. Its natural range extends through the diverse landscapes of Cambodia. Additionally, it can be located within the borders of Laos. The species is also widely distributed throughout Thailand. Finally, its geographical presence includes the various ecosystems of Vietnam.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Stephania pierrei is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it follows a long-term developmental strategy that distinguishes it from annual or biennial varieties, focusing on sustained growth and repeated reproductive cycles. This life cycle enables the plant to establish a robust presence within its ecological niche, often relying on its underground structures to survive dormant periods before emerging to continue its vegetative and reproductive phases.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Stephania pierrei is characterized by its substantial growth habit, reaching a mean plant height of approximately 6 m. It functions as an obligatory climber, relying on external structures for vertical progression. While it possesses climbing capabilities, its ecological niche is primarily terrestrial rather than epiphytic, as it lacks the specialized traits of holoepiphytes, hemiepiphytes, or facultative epiphytic lifestyles, maintaining a terrestrial growth pattern.

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Plant height mean:

6 m

Physiology

The physiology of Stephanostaphis pierrei is characterized by metabolic processes typical of woody climbing vines, primarily focusing on efficient nutrient uptake and structural growth support. Regarding its nitrogen metabolism, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as rhizobia, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms; instead, it relies entirely on the absorption of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system. Its physiological development is driven by the translocation of photosynthates from its foliage to support its climbing habit, utilizing specialized mechanical or adventitious structures to navigate its environment. The plant's energy production is governed by standard photosynthetic pathways, converting light energy into chemical energy to sustain its complex vascular architecture and secondary metabolite production.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Stephania pierrei has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-Asimilobine-2-O-beta-D-glucoside, (-)-Nordicentrine, Oxocrebanine.

(-)-Asimilobine-2-O-beta-D-glucoside

1. Journal of natural products

(-)-Nordicentrine

1. Journal of natural products

Oxocrebanine

1. Inflammopharmacology

Activities

Stephania pierrei has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Cytotoxic.

Antimalarial

1. Journal of natural products

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Stephania pierrei has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Alzheimer disease, antimalarial.

Alzheimer disease

1. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet

Antimalarial

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Stephania pierrei has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts prepared from the tubers of Stephania pierrei, methanol extracts, tubers.

Extracts prepared from the tubers of stephania pierrei

1. Journal of natural products

Methanol extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Tubers

1. Journal of natural products