Sandpaper Vine

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Sandpaper Vine

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Delima sarmentosa

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. Further taxonomic division places it in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Dilleniales, specifically within the family Dilleniaceae. It is ultimately identified by the genus Tetracera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be found spanning from the South-Central areas to the Southeast. Additionally, its presence extends to the tropical island of Hainan within the Chinese territory. Moving into the Indian Subcontinent, the species is documented to grow in the state of Assam. Finally, its range reaches across the borders into Bangladesh.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Tetracera sarmentoosa is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a stable presence within its habitat. This longevity is complemented by its evergreen status, meaning it maintains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding leaves seasonally. Through this combination of a long-lived life cycle and continuous vegetative activity, the species is able to sustain its physiological processes and reproductive potential over an extended duration.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tetraceras sarmentosa is characterized by a woody growth habit, functioning as a shrub that exhibits liana-like qualities. As an obligatory climber, it utilizes a vine-like structure to ascend, often reaching a significant plant height with a mean measurement of approximately 15 m. Its physical structure is fundamentally woody, supporting its development as a climbing shrub within its ecosystem.

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tetraceras sarmentosa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits specific morphological leaf traits, featuring an oblanceolate leaf form with margins that are finely toothed. Structurally, the foliage is devoid of both leaf thorns and leaf spines, indicating a lack of these specific defensive physiological adaptations. In terms of leaf mass distribution and resource allocation, the plant maintains a consistent Specific Leaf Area (SLA) across its recorded minimum, mean, and maximum values, which is measured at 264.3774525 cm²/g. Furthermore, Tetraceras sarmentosa does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external soil nitrogen sources rather than symbiotic nitrogen-fixing capabilities.

Leaf form :

oblanceolate

Leaf margin :

finely toothed

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

264.3774525 cm²/g

Reproduction

Reproduction in Tetracera sarmentosa involves a complex array of dispersal strategies to ensure the propagation of the species across its habitat. The plant exhibits a versatile dispersal syndrome characterized by multiple mechanisms, primarily functioning as zoochorous, where seeds are distributed by animals. However, its reproductive success is supported by a multifaceted approach that includes anemochorous (wind-dispersed), autochorous (self-dispersed), and hydrochorous (water-dispersed) methods. This combination of traits, which can also be categorized as unspecialized, allows the plant to utilize various environmental vectors to spread its progeny effectively.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Tetracera sarmentosa 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Chemicals

Tetracera sarmentosa has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin, betulinic acid.

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

betulinic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Tetracera sarmentosa has 28 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial, Anticancer.

Analgesic

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antidepressant

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations

Tetracera sarmentosa has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaf extracts.

Leaf extracts

1. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology