Streptocaulon juventas

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Apocynum juventas
• Streptocaulon tomentosum
• Streptocaulon tomentosum var. latifolium
• Streptocaulon griffithii
• Tylophora juventas

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Streptocauloon juventas, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Gentianaales. Finally, it is a member of the family Apocynaceae and the genus Streptocauloon.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range primarily concentrated within East and Southeast Asia. In China, its presence is documented across the South-Central and Southeast regions. Its distribution extends into the Indo-China peninsula, where it can be found in several distinct territories. Specifically, it inhabits parts of Cambodia and Laos within this subtropical zone. Additionally, the species is also recorded as growing in Myanmar.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Streptocaulon juventas is defined by its specific distribution within montane and sub-montane landscapes, where it occupies a distinct altitudinal niche. This species is primarily found across an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 300 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL. Within this vertical gradient, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 650 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-altitude environments that likely offer specific moisture and temperature regimes characteristic of these transitional zones.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

650 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Streptocaulon juvenitas is characterized by its specific ecological positioning as a chamaphyte, a classification that reflects its survival strategy in its native habitat. Within the spectrum of plant life forms, it is identified both as a chamaphyte in its primary life form classification and specifically as a chamaephyte in its secondary morphological grouping. This indicates that its perennating buds are located close to the soil surface, often just above it, allowing the plant to endure seasonal environmental fluctuations by protecting its vital growing points near the ground level. This growth habit enables the species to maintain its structural integrity and facilitate regrowth following periods of dormancy or environmental stress, ensuring its persistence within its specialized ecological niche.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Morphology

The morphology of Streptocaulon juventas is characterized by its growth habit as a woody liana, functioning as a climbing vine that requires external support to ascend. It is classified as an obligatory climber, meaning it lacks the structural rigidity to be self-supporting and must rely on surrounding vegetation or structures to reach light. The plant exhibits a distinct woody texture in its stems, providing the necessary tensile strength and durability associated with perennial climbing lianas.

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological development of the foliage in Streptocaulon juventas is characterized by distinct morphological variations in leaf dimensions that reflect its vegetative growth patterns. The leaf length demonstrates a specific range of expansion, starting from a minimum of 9 cm and reaching a maximum of 14 cm, with a calculated mean length of 11.5 cm. Complementing this longitudinal growth, the leaf width exhibits significant lateral development, spanning from a minimum width of 6 cm to a maximum width of 9.5 cm. These biometric parameters indicate a robust leaf structure designed to optimize surface area for photosynthetic activity within its natural habitat.

Leaf length max:

14 cm

Leaf length mean:

11.5 cm

Leaf length min:

9 cm

Leaf width max:

9.5 cm

Leaf width min:

6 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Streptocaulon juvenitas is characterized by the development of distinct fruit structures that exhibit specific dimensional variations. The resulting fruits are elongated in form, with a mean length of 11 cm and a mean width of 0.6 cm. Within the population, there is a measurable range of size, where the fruit length varies from a minimum of 9 cm to a maximum of 13 cm. Similarly, the fruit width demonstrates physiological fluctuation, ranging from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 0.7 cm. These morphological traits define the physical parameters of the reproductive output of the species.

Fruit length max:

13 cm

Fruit length mean:

11 cm

Fruit length min:

9 cm

Fruit width max:

0.7 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.6 cm

Fruit width min:

0.5 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Streptocaulon juventas has 1 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Journal of Asian natural products research
2. Journal of natural products
3. Planta medica

Chemicals

Streptocaulon juventas has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (R)-2-Ethyl-3-methylbutyl beta-rutinoside, Digitogenin, Periplogenin, digitoxigenin gentiobioside.

(R)-2-Ethyl-3-methylbutyl beta-rutinoside

1. Journal of natural products

Digitogenin

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Periplogenin

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

digitoxigenin gentiobioside

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Streptocaulon juventas has 1 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Cytotoxic

1. Planta medica

Preparations

Streptocaulon juventas has 3 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 75% ethanol extract of the roots of Streptocaulon juventas, methanol extracts, methanolic extract of roots.

75% ethanol extract of the roots of streptocaulon juventas

1. Planta medica

Methanol extracts

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Methanolic extract of roots

1. Journal of natural products