Manchu tuber-gourd

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Manchu tuber-gourd
• golden creeper
• red hailstone
• red-hailstone
• Manchu tubergourd

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Thladiantha sparsiflora

Regional and Traditional Names

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. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Cucurbitales. Finally, it is a member of the family Cucurbitaceae and is specifically identified by the genus Thladiantha.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several European regions. In Northern Europe, its presence is documented within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, it can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Austria. The species is also distributed throughout Germany and the Czechia-Slovakia region. Finally, its range extends further into Middle Europe to include Hungary.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Thladiantha dubia is defined by its ability to colonize diverse and often disturbed terrestrial environments. This species thrives in open habitats such as meadows and along roadsides, where it can access sufficient sunlight and space to establish its growth. It demonstrates significant adaptability to varying soil compositions, showing a particular affinity for sandy substrates and coastal areas, including shores. This ability to persist in sandy and maritime settings suggests a high tolerance for nutrient-poor soils and potentially saline or wind-exposed conditions, allowing it to occupy ecological niches that may be less competitive for other plant species.

Habitat :

meadows, roadsides, sand, shores

Life history

The life history of Thladiantha dubia is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist across multiple growing seasons. In terms of its survival strategy and structural organization, the plant functions as a geophyte, utilizing underground storage organs to endure unfavorable environmental conditions. Furthermore, its classification within the life form categories identifies it as a cryptophyte, meaning its vital regenerative buds are protected beneath the soil surface or at the soil level, ensuring its continued existence through seasonal cycles.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Thladiantha dubia is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing external structures for support as it extends through its environment. The plant exhibits a significant range in stature, with a height that typically starts at a minimum of 0.5 m and can reach a maximum of 4 m.

Climber :

obligatory

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Plant height max:

4 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Thladiantha dubia is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and distinct seed characteristics. The flowering period typically begins in June and concludes in July, though the timing can be variable across different seasonal cycles. Following the flowering stage, the plant produces seeds with a highly consistent mass; the seed mass exhibits no variance, with a mean, maximum, and minimum value all recorded at 0.12099 g.

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Seed mass mean:

0.12099 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Thladiantha dubia 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 fruit.

Fruit

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Thladiantha dubia has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic.

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Thladiantha dubia has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include dysmenorrhea, rheumatoid arthritis.

Dysmenorrhea

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rheumatoid arthritis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology