Tetracera scandens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Traxilisa aspera
• Tetracera aspera
• Tetracera hebecarpa
• Tetracera scandens var. hebecarpa
• Tetracera sarmentosa var. hebecarpa
• Delima tripetala
• Trachytella aspera
• Actaea aspera
• Calligonum asperum
• Tetracera sarmentosa var. loureiroi
• Persicaria piripu
• Trachytella actaea
• Trachytella calligonum
• Delima sarmentosa var. hebecarpa
• Tetracera assa var. loureiroi
• Tetracera loureiroi
• Delima aspera
• Delima hebecarpa
• Delima intermedia
• Delima frangulifolia
• Delima scandens
• Delima tripetala
• Delima piripu

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Further taxonomic placement situates it in the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Dilleniales, and the family Dilleniaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Tetracera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several key regions in South and Southeast Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, its presence is documented in Bangladesh. It is also widely found across the Indo-China region, specifically in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. Furthermore, the species can be located in the Nicobar Islands. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's range within these tropical territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Tetraceras scandens is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, specifically functioning as a nanophanerophyte within its natural habitat. This plant maintains a perennial existence with a distinct growth habit where its buds are located well above the soil surface, protected during unfavorable conditions. Throughout its life cycle, it exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, retaining its foliage year-round and providing continuous vegetative cover. This combination of being a phanerophyte and an evergreen species allows it to maintain biological activity and structural integrity across varying seasonal shifts.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Tetraceras scandens is characterized by its growth as a woody liana, functioning as an obligatory climber. While it exhibits shrub-like characteristics in its structural development, it primarily adopts a climbing form that can reach a mean plant height of 20 meters, with a maximum height extending up to 30 meters. As a terrestrial plant, it is not epiphytic, instead establishing itself within the ground substrate. The plant's physical structure is defined by its woody nature, providing the necessary rigidity for its extensive climbing habit.

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tetracera scandens is characterized by its metabolic processes as a woody climbing shrub, focusing on efficient nutrient acquisition and structural growth through its specialized vascular system. Its physiological profile is defined by its capacity for nutrient uptake, yet it does not possess the symbiotic mechanisms required for atmospheric nitrogen assimilation; specifically, it is not a nitrogen fixer. Consequently, its nitrogen metabolism relies entirely on the absorption of nitrates and ammonium ions from the soil through its root system to support protein synthesis and chlorophyll production. The plant's energy production is driven by photosynthetic pathways optimized for its climbing habit, allowing it to position its foliage in high-light environments to maximize carbon fixation. This metabolic framework supports its extensive lignification, which provides the mechanical strength necessary for its scandent growth form.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Tetracera scandens 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. Biomolecules

Chemicals

Tetracera scandens has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin, Xanthine oxidase, betulinic acid.

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

Xanthine oxidase

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

betulinic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Tetracera scandens has 23 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Anticarcinomic.

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antileukemic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Tetracera scandens has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus

1. Biomolecules

Preparations

Tetracera scandens has 3 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include MeOH-H(2)O extract, ethanol extract, hydromethanolic extracts.

Meoh-h(2)o extract

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Ethanol extract

1. BMB reports

Hydromethanolic extracts

1. Biomolecules