Stephania viridiflavens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range within the country of China. Its presence is notably documented across the South-Central region of the nation. Additionally, the species can be found distributed throughout the Southeast part of China. These two distinct areas define the known natural habitat for this medicinal specimen. Consequently, its distribution is concentrated within these specific southern and central provinces.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Stephanis viridiflavens is characterized by a complex growth pattern where its foliage state remains somewhat inconsistent across different environmental conditions or life stages. While many members of its genus exhibit specific seasonal rhythms, this species displays a variable approach to leaf retention, categorized by a capacity for being deciduous, evergreen, or showing a variable expression of these two states. This adaptability allows the plant to transition between periods of active growth and dormancy, shedding leaves to conserve resources during unfavorable intervals or maintaining a green canopy when conditions permit. This plasticity in deciduousness suggests a survival strategy finely tuned to fluctuating moisture levels and light availability in its native habitat.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Morphology

The morphology of Stephania viridiflavens is characterized by its distinct growth habit, which is primarily non-woody in nature. As a climbing or trailing species, its stems lack the permanent, thickened secondary xylem found in woody perennials, instead maintaining a flexible and herbaceous structural composition. This non-woody characteristic allows the plant to navigate its environment through twining or spreading mechanisms, utilizing its soft, succulent-to-herbaceous stems to seek support. The overall architecture is defined by this absence of true woodiness, contributing to its specialized lifestyle within its ecological niche.

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Stephania viridiflavens 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 root.

Root

1. Natural product research

Chemicals

Stephania viridiflavens has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-N-methyl-laurotetanine, (+)-Stepharine.

(+)-N-methyl-laurotetanine

1. Natural product research

(+)-Stepharine

1. Natural product research