Elbow Leaf

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Stem-Fruit Climber
• Stemfruit-Climber
• elbowleaf

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tiliacora warneckei
• Hypserpa funifera
• Tiliacora troupinii
• Tiliacora glycosmantha
• Tiliacora pynaertii
• Limacia funifera
• Tiliacora johannis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Ranunculales and the family Menispermaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is established under the genus Tiliacora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several regions within West Tropical Africa. It can be found growing natively in the country of Benin. Additionally, its presence extends to the territories of Ghana and Guinea. The species also inhabits parts of the Ivory Coast. Finally, its geographical range includes the nation of Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tiliacora funifera is characterized by its adaptation to tropical forest environments, where it typically thrives within a specific altitudinal gradient. This species is found distributed across a broad vertical range, starting from sea level at 0 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum elevation of 750 m AMSL. Within this range, it functions as a climbing woody vine, often integrating into the structural complexity of forest canopies to access sunlight and moisture. Its presence is closely tied to the humid, warm conditions typical of these low-to-mid elevation tropical zones, which provide the necessary ecological niches for its growth and survival.

Elevational range max:

750 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Tiliacora funifera is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, meaning it maintains its vegetative structures and biological functions over many years rather than completing a single reproductive cycle in one season. As a climbing woody vine, it follows a long-term developmental trajectory that involves establishing a robust root system to support its climbing habit through forest canopies. Its lifecycle is marked by continuous growth patterns that allow it to persist in its natural habitat for extended periods, undergoing seasonal shifts in metabolic activity while maintaining a permanent presence in the ecosystem.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tiliacora funifera is characterized by its growth habit as a woody liana, functioning as an obligatory climber that relies on external structures for support. As a terrestrial plant, it does not inhabit aquatic or semi-aquatic environments, nor does it function as an epiphyte. The species grows to a significant height, with a mean plant height reaching approximately 16 m. Furthermore, it maintains an independent life cycle, as it is not a parasite.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

16 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tiliacora funifera is characterized by its metabolic adaptations to its specific ecological niche, most notably through its carbon fixation mechanism. This plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a process where the first stable compound formed during carbon fixation is a three-carbon molecule, typically occurring within the mesophyll cells. This C3 pathway dictates its physiological response to environmental stressors, such as light intensity and water availability, influencing its overall transpiration rates and gas exchange efficiency. The metabolic processes within the plant are geared toward supporting its climbing growth habit, requiring efficient resource allocation to maintain its structural integrity and secondary metabolite production. Through this C3-based carbon assimilation, Tiliacora funifera manages the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy, driving the biosynthesis of various bioactive compounds that define its physiological profile.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Tiliacora funifera has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Lloydia

Root

1. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Chemicals

Tiliacora funifera has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Funiferine N-oxide, Isotetrandrine, THALRUGOSINE, Tiliafunimine.

Funiferine N-oxide

1. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Isotetrandrine

1. Lloydia

THALRUGOSINE

1. Lloydia

Tiliafunimine

1. Lloydia

Preparations

Tiliacora funifera has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extract of the leaves of T. funifera.

Extract of the leaves of t. funifera

1. Lloydia