Tetrastigma planicaule

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cayratia neurosa
• Tetrastigma laoticum
• Vitis neurosa
• Vitis planicaulis

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. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Vitales, it is further categorized under the family Vitaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Tetrastigma and the species planicaule.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, its presence is noted in the South-Central, Southeast, and Tibet regions. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in Assam. Additionally, the species is documented to occur within the borders of Bangladesh. Together, these locations define the specific ecological range of Tetrastigma planicaule.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tetrastigma planicaule is defined by its specific altitudinal distribution across diverse mountainous landscapes. This species exhibits a broad elevational tolerance, occupying habitats ranging from low-lying areas at a minimum of 100 m AMSL to high-altitude environments reaching a maximum of 2100 m AMSL. On average, the plant thrives at a mean elevation of 1100 m AMSL, suggesting that it is most frequently situated within mid-elevation ecological zones. This wide vertical range indicates an ability to adapt to varying environmental gradients, including fluctuations in temperature, moisture availability, and atmospheric pressure found between sea level and montane regions.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Tetrastigma planicaule is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over many growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its buds well above the ground, a structural adaptation that facilitates its growth pattern. Specifically, it functions as a phanerophyte in its primary life form, ensuring long-term survival and establishment within its ecological niche. Furthermore, the species exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally, contributing to its continuous vegetative presence.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tetrastigma planicaule is characterized by its distinct growth habit and structural composition. It functions as a woody liana, exhibiting an obligatory climbing behavior to navigate its environment. Although it possesses a woody structure, the plant maintains a terrestrial existence rather than being aquatic or semiaquatic. In terms of its ecological role, it is an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, as it remains strictly terrestrial. While its growth form can be broadly categorized within the shrub-like dimensions of woody climbers, its primary architectural identity is defined by its liana habit and robust, woody stems.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tetrastigma planicaule is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Its vegetative morphology is defined by elliptic-shaped leaves that feature entirely smooth margins, devoid of any thorns or spines. The leaves exhibit significant dimensional variation, with a mean length of 12.5 cm and a range extending from a minimum of 9 cm to a maximum of 16 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 3 cm and a maximum of 6 cm, maintaining a mean width of approximately 4.5 cm.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

16 cm

Leaf length mean:

12.5 cm

Leaf length min:

9 cm

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

6 cm

Leaf width mean:

4.5 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Tetrastigma planicaule culminates in the development of fruits that exhibit specific morphological dimensions. These fruits vary in size, with a minimum length and width of 2 cm, while they reach a maximum diameter of 3 cm in both length and width. On average, the fruits maintain a consistent size, characterized by a mean length of 2.5 cm and a mean width of 2.5 cm, indicating a relatively uniform, globular or sub-globular shape during maturity.

Fruit length max:

3 cm

Fruit length mean:

2.5 cm

Fruit length min:

2 cm

Fruit width max:

3 cm

Fruit width mean:

2.5 cm

Fruit width min:

2 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Tetrastigma planicaule has 3 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 leaf, root, stem.

Leaf

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Root

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Stem

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Chemicals

Tetrastigma planicaule has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-SITOSTEROL, ETHYL GALLATE, Gheddic acid, Tricosanol, palmitic acid.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

ETHYL GALLATE

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Gheddic acid

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Tricosanol

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

palmitic acid

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

vanillin

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Preparations

Tetrastigma planicaule has 1 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethyl acetate fraction.

Ethyl acetate fraction

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials