Uncaria laevigata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Nauclea laevigata
• Uruparia laevigata

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Uncaria laevigata, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Gentianaales and the family Rubiaceae. It is further categorized under the genus Uncaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, its presence is noted within the South-Central and Southeast territories. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in Assam and throughout Bangladesh. Additionally, the species extends into the Indo-China region, specifically within Laos. Collectively, these locations highlight the tropical and subtropical habitats where the plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Uncaria laevigata is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to establish long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs at a significant height above the ground, utilizing its climbing structural mechanisms to ascend toward light sources. This growth habit is supported by its evergreen nature, ensuring that it retains its foliage throughout various seasonal shifts rather than shedding it annually. Through its development as both a phanerophyte and a specialized climbing form, the plant secures a stable and enduring existence within its habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Uncaria laevigata is characterized by its growth habit as a woody liana, functioning as an obligatory climber that utilizes specialized structures to ascend through the forest canopy. As a liana, it possesses a robust, woody stem that provides the structural integrity necessary for its climbing lifestyle, yet it remains dependent on other vegetation for vertical support. Despite its climbing nature, the plant is an independent organism, meaning it does not function as a parasite, and it maintains a terrestrial existence with its root system anchored in the soil rather than living as an epiphyte.

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Uncaria laevigata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Its foliar morphology features oval-shaped leaves with entire margins, notably lacking both leaf thorns and spines. The leaf architecture is further defined by its Specific Leaf Area (SLA), which exhibits significant variability; the SLA ranges from a minimum of 116.9536613 cm²/g to a maximum of 242.7690007 cm²/g, with a mean value of 179.861331 cm²/g. This range in SLA reflects the plant's capacity to modulate leaf thickness and density in response to environmental conditions.

Leaf form :

oval

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) max:

242.7690007 cm²/g

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

179.861331 cm²/g

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

116.9536613 cm²/g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Uncaria laevigata 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 stem.

Stem

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Uncaria laevigata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ursolic acid.

Ursolic acid

1. Fitoterapia

Preparations

Uncaria laevigata has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extract of the stem barks.

Ethanolic extract of the stem barks

1. Fitoterapia