Great Fringed-Flower Vine

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Red-ball Snake Gourd

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Anguina tricuspidata

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Cucurbitaleales. Finally, it is a member of the family Cucurbitaceae and falls under the genus Trichosanthes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several regions within the Indo-China zone. Its natural habitat includes the various islands of the Andaman Is. area. Furthermore, it can be found growing throughout the country of Cambodia. The species is also established in the landscapes of Laos and Myanmar. Finally, its geographical range extends into the diverse terrains of Thailand.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Trichosanthes tricuspidata is characterized by its growth habit as a terrestrial plant that inhabits various moisture levels, ranging from aquatic to semiaquatic environments. It functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing specialized structures to ascend surrounding vegetation rather than being self-supporting. In terms of its nutritional strategy, the species is entirely independent, functioning as a non-parasitic organism that does not rely on a host for sustenance. Furthermore, it maintains a terrestrial lifestyle rather than acting as an epiphyte, establishing its root system within the soil to support its climbing development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Reproduction

The reproduction of Trichosanthes tricuspidata is characterized by the development of distinctive fruits and specialized seed properties. The plant produces fruits that exhibit a dual textural quality, categorized as being both dry and fleshy in nature. Within these fruits, the seeds are produced with highly consistent dimensions; the seed volume remains uniform across the population, with a minimum, maximum, and mean volume all measured at exactly 140 mm³. This precise volumetric measurement of 140 mm³ ensures a standardized dispersal mechanism essential for the plant's life cycle.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed volume max:

140 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Trichosanthes tricuspidata 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. Natural product letters

Chemicals

Trichosanthes tricuspidata has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cyclotricuspidoside A, Cyclotricuspidoside C, Flavonoid.

Cyclotricuspidoside A

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Cyclotricuspidoside C

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Flavonoid

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Activities

Trichosanthes tricuspidata has 3 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, Cytotoxic, Laxative.

Anthelmintic

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Cytotoxic

1. Natural product letters

Laxative

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Medicinal Uses

Trichosanthes tricuspidata has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Oxidative Stress, gastritis, laxative, migraine.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations