Poison Ivy

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Poison Ivy
• twining cow-itch

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tragia volubilis var. pedicellaris
• Tragia volubilis var. serra
• Tragia monandra
• Tragia triangularis
• Tragia amoena
• Tragia volubilis var. guaranitica
• Tragia pedunculata
• Tragia plumosa
• Tragia serra
• Tragia haguensis
• Tragia gayana
• Tragia diffusa
• Tragia infesta
• Tragia volubilis var. grandifolia
• Tragia volubilis var. lanceolata
• Tragia volubilis var. longifolia
• Tragia volubilis var. tenuifolia
• Tragia volubilis var. triangularis
• Tragia virgata
• Tragia ovata
• Tragia pedicillaris

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Tragia volubilis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Euphorbiaceae and falls under the genus Tragia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Tragia volubilis, exhibits a specific geographical range within the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence is documented across several key nations, including Burkina Faso and Ghana. Furthermore, the species can be found extending through the territories of Ivory Coast and Liberia. The distribution also encompasses the expansive landscape of Nigeria. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's localized habitat within these West African countries.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tragia volubilis is characterized by its presence in diverse and specialized forest ecosystems, specifically thriving within the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Floresta de Terra Firme, and Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial). This plant exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying a wide vertical gradient that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum elevation of 2000 m AMSL. Throughout its varied environments, it maintains a mean elevation of approximately 700 m AMSL, allowing it to adapt to both the semi-arid conditions of the Caatinga and the high-moisture environments of ombrophilous rain forests.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Caatinga (stricto sensu), Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Tragia volubilis is characterized by its perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the species is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the permanent buds are located close to or just above the soil surface. This physiological arrangement supports its survival and ability to regenerate within its specific ecological niche over time.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tragia volubilis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a climbing forb. It functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing a vine-like habit to ascend its environment rather than being self-supporting. This plant is strictly terrestrial in its ecological positioning, operating as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. Its structure is defined by this herbaceous, non-woody constitution, which allows it to navigate its terrestrial habitat through its specialized climbing mechanism.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Tragia volubilis has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Afzelin, Amentoflavone, Avicularin, Flavonoids, Tannins.

Afzelin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Amentoflavone

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Avicularin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Tannins

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

quercitrin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Tragia volubilis has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include DNA damage, cell death, wound healing.

Dna damage

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Cell death

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Wound healing

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)