Tiliacora acuminata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tiliacora cuspidiformis
• Tiliacora fraternaria
• Cocculus radiatus
• Tiliacora racemosa
• Cocculus acuminatus
• Braunea menispermoides
• Menispermum acuminatum
• Menispermum radiatum
• Menispermum polycarpon
• Tiliacora abnormalis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is placed in the order Ranunculales and the family Menispermaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by its genus, Tiliacora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several regions within the Indian Subcontinent. It can be found growing naturally in the diverse landscapes of India and Bangladesh. Its presence is also well-documented throughout the country of Nepal. Furthermore, the species extends its range southward into the tropical environments of Sri Lanka. Finally, it is known to inhabit the specific ecological zones of the West Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Tiliacora acuminata is characterized by its growth habit as a woody climber, where its development is closely tied to the stability of its forest habitat. A key physiological feature of this species is its foliage pattern, which exhibits a variable nature regarding deciduousness; while it can be described as deciduous or evergreen depending on environmental stressors and seasonal shifts, it is frequently observed to maintain an evergreen state in stable tropical conditions. As it matures, the plant utilizes its climbing mechanism to ascend toward canopy light, establishing a long-lived presence within the ecosystem. Its reproductive cycle involves the production of flowers and fruits that facilitate seed dispersal, allowing the species to colonize new areas and maintain genetic diversity within its native range.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Morphology

The morphology of Tiliacora acuminata is characterized by its growth habit as an obligatory climber, utilizing specialized structures to ascend through forest canopies. Although some related taxa may inhabit diverse niches, this species is classified as terrestrial, meaning it grows in soil-based environments rather than being aquatic or semiaquatic. Furthermore, the plant functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic relationship with its host plants, as it does not rely on them for nutrients or water.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

obligatory

Parasite :

independent

Physiology

The physiology of Tiliacora acuminata is characterized by its metabolic processes as a woody climber, where nutrient uptake and assimilation are driven by its specialized climbing mechanism and climbing habit. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia; instead, it relies entirely on the absorption of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system. Its physiological efficiency is largely dependent on its ability to optimize photosynthetic activity within the forest canopy, where it utilizes its climbing structure to reach higher light intensities. The plant's metabolic pathways involve the synthesis of various secondary metabolites, which are produced as physiological responses to environmental stressors and herbivory, contributing to its complex biochemical profile.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Tiliacora acuminata 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 root.

Root

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Activities

Tiliacora acuminata has 3 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antitumor.

Antibacterial

1. Natural product research

Antioxidant

1. Natural product research

Antitumor

1. Natural product research

Preparations

Tiliacora acuminata has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanol extract of T. racemosa root.

Ethanol extract of t. racemosa root

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR