Strychnos wallichiana

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Strychnos tubiflora
• Strychnos rheedei
• Strychnos pierreana
• Strychnos colubrina
• Strychnos cinnamomifolia
• Strychnos gauthieriana
• Strychnos bourdilloni
• Strychnos cinnamomifolia var. wightii

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. Within the order Gentianales, it is classified under the family Loganiaceae and is specifically identified by the genus Strychnos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions of Asia. In the Indian Subcontinent, its presence is noted in Assam, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. It can also be found within the Indo-China region, specifically inhabiting the Andaman Islands. Furthermore, the species extends into the South-Central parts of China. Together, these locations highlight the diverse habitats where the plant naturally thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Strychnos wallichiana is characterized by a highly specific and specialized altitudinal niche. Based on ecological data, the species exhibits a very narrow elevational range, maintaining a consistent presence at a mean altitude of 600 m AMSL. This strict environmental requirement is reflected in its minimum and maximum elevation limits, which both converge at 600 m AMSL, suggesting that the plant is a habitat specialist highly adapted to this specific vertical belt within its ecosystem. Such a precise altitudinal distribution implies that the species relies on a very particular combination of temperature, atmospheric pressure, and moisture levels that are only consistently found at this specific elevation.

Elevational range max:

600 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Strychnos wallichiaana is characterized by its robust and woody structure, primarily functioning as a woody shrub. It exhibits a climbing habit, specifically classified as an obligatory liana, which means it relies on external support to ascend. The plant can reach a significant height, with a mean height of approximately 15 m, as it climbs through its natural habitat.

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Strychnos wallichiana is characterized by complex metabolic pathways primarily focused on the biosynthesis of highly potent indole alkaloids, which serve as secondary metabolites for chemical defense. The plant's metabolic processes are geared toward the sequestration of nitrogenous compounds to facilitate the structural assembly of strychnine and related alkaloids within its tissues. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the specialized root nodules containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. Instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium ions from the soil through its root system to support its physiological requirements for growth and alkaloid production. This reliance on soil-available nitrogen dictates its ecological niche and nutrient dependency within its native habitat.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Strychnos wallichiana is characterized by the production of a fruit classified as a drupe. These fruits are indehiscent, meaning they do not split open at maturity to release their contents. On average, the fruits possess a mean length of 2.43 cm and a mean width of 2.43 cm, reflecting a relatively consistent spherical or rounded dimension. The dispersal of the seeds is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, where animals play a key role in transporting the fruit or its contents to new locations.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit length mean:

2.43 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Fruit width mean:

2.43 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Strychnos wallichiana 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 seed.

Seed

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Chemicals

Strychnos wallichiana has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BRUCINE, strychnine.

BRUCINE

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

strychnine

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Activities

Strychnos wallichiana has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial.

Antimalarial

1. The Journal of veterinary medical science
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Strychnos wallichiana has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include water extracts.

Water extracts

1. The Journal of veterinary medical science