purple allamanda

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• babbler's-vine
• laurel clockvine
• Blue Trumpet Vine

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Thunbergia harrisii
• Thunbergia grandiflora var. laurifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

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. It is further classified within the order Lamiales and the family Acanthaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Thunbergia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several key regions across the globe. In East Tropical Africa, it can be found growing within the territories of Tanzania and Uganda. Its range extends into Eastern Asia, specifically documented in the Ogasawara-shoto islands. Within the Indian Subcontinent, the species is present in the Assam region. Finally, it is also widely distributed throughout the East Himalaya mountain range.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

In Hawai`i, the ecology of Thunbergia laurifolia is characterized by its presence in cultivated environments and its tendency to colonize specific ecological niches similar to those occupied by T. grandiflora. On the islands of Kaua`i and O`ahu, the plant thrives in habitats that mirror the moisture and light availability favored by its related species, often establishing itself in areas where disturbed soil or human-modified landscapes provide suitable rooting conditions. Its distribution within these island ecosystems is closely tied to these specific microclimates, allowing it to persist in localized pockets where environmental conditions align with its growth requirements.

Habitat :

In Hawai`i cultivated and found in similar situations as T. grandiflora on Kaua`i and O`ahu

Genetics

The genetics of Thunbergia laurifolia are characterized by a complex karyotype, with a documented chromosome number of 56. This specific chromosomal count plays a fundamental role in the plant's reproductive biology and its ability to maintain genetic stability across various environmental conditions. The stability of this diploid or polyploid arrangement influences the inheritance patterns of various secondary metabolites, which are critical to its medicinal properties. Understanding this chromosomal structure is essential for biotechnological applications, such as plant breeding and tissue culture, aimed at enhancing the yield of bioactive compounds through genetic selection and genomic manipulation.

Chromosome number :

56

Life history

The life history of Thunbergia laurifolia is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a vigorous climbing woody vine, it establishes a robust structural foundation that enables it to scale various substrates and compete effectively for sunlight. Its lifecycle involves a continuous cycle of vegetative growth and seasonal flowering, where it utilizes tendrils to anchor itself and spread across its environment. Throughout its long-term existence, the plant undergoes stages of maturation that support sustained foliage production and the periodic development of reproductive structures, ensuring its long-term survival and ability to colonize surrounding areas over many years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Thunbergia laurifolia is characterized by its growth habit as a woody liana, exhibiting a robust and climbing structure. As a terrestrial organism, it does not inhabit aquatic or semiaquatic environments, nor does it function as an epiphyte in any capacity, remaining firmly rooted in the soil. The plant acts as an obligatory climber, utilizing its woody stems to ascend and navigate through surrounding vegetation for support. Furthermore, it is an independent species, functioning without parasitic dependencies on other plants, maintaining its own structural integrity through its woody development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Thunbergia laurifolia is closely tied to its leaf morphology, which plays a critical role in its photosynthetic capacity and transpiration rates. The leaves exhibit significant dimensional variability, with a mean length of 12.5 cm and a range spanning from a minimum of 7 cm to a maximum of 18 cm. This variation in surface area is complemented by a dynamic width profile, where the mean width is recorded at 5.5 cm, fluctuating between a minimum of 2.5 cm and a maximum of 8 cm. These morphological dimensions influence the plant's ability to regulate gas exchange and light interception, fundamental physiological processes that support its metabolic activities and overall growth vigor.

Leaf length max:

18 cm

Leaf length mean:

12.5 cm

Leaf length min:

7 cm

Leaf width max:

8 cm

Leaf width mean:

5.5 cm

Leaf width min:

2.5 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Thunbergia laurifolia has 1 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.

Leaf

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. In vivo (Athens, Greece)
3. Journal of food biochemistry

Chemicals

Thunbergia laurifolia has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include rosmarinic acid, Carotenoids, Caspase 3, Chlorophylls, Flavonoid.

rosmarinic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. In vivo (Athens, Greece)
3. Biology
4. Journal of food biochemistry

Carotenoids

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Caspase 3

1. Toxicology letters

Chlorophylls

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoid

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Gallic acid

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

LEAD

1. Toxicology letters

Lutein

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Oleamide

1. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology

Pheophytin a

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Thunbergia laurifolia has 5 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antidote, Antihyperglycemic, Antihyperlipidemic, Neuroprotective.

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. BioMed research international
3. Biology
4. Journal of food biochemistry

Antidote

1. Toxicology reports

Antihyperglycemic

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antihyperlipidemic

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Neuroprotective

1. BioMed research international

Medicinal Uses

Thunbergia laurifolia has 17 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, Opisthorchis viverrini infection, antidote, antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations