Urceola laevigata
Urceola laevigata · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (9 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
, scientifically known as Urceoia laevigata, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to tropical regions. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, this plant is traditionally used to treat skin ailments, inflammation, and digestive issues. Its bioactive compounds offer significant potential for modern pharmacological research and natural healing practices.
- Family
- Apocynaceae
- Native range
- Asia-Temperate
- Parts used
- Not available
- Common names
- Not available
- Scientific synonyms
- Chonemorpha Densiflora · Ecdysanthera Densiflora · 18 more
Names and Synonyms
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Urceola laevigataSynonyms
- Chonemorpha densiflora
- Ecdysanthera densiflora
- Parameria angustior
- Parameria glandulifera var. philippinensis
- Parameria laevigata
- Parameria barbata var. pieirrei
- Parameria glandulifera var. pieirrei
- Echites barbatus
- Parameria barbata
- Ecdysanthera barbata
- Parsonsia barbata
- Parameria glandulifera
- Parameria vulneraria
- Ecdysanthera glandulifera
- Ecdysanthera barbata var. angustior
- Ecdysanthera griffithii
- Echites glandulifer
- Parameria glandulifera var. poilanei
- Aegiphila laevigata
- Parameria philippinensis
Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Gentianales and the family Apocynaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Urceoala.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Gentianales |
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Genus | Urceola |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be found spanning both the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within the borders of Bangladesh. Additionally, the species is located throughout the Indo-China region, including the Andaman Islands. Finally, its habitat reaches into the country of Cambodia.
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| China | China South-Central |
| China | China Southeast |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh |
| Indo-China | Andaman Is. |
| Indo-China | Cambodia |
| Indo-China | Laos |
| Indo-China | Myanmar |
| Indo-China | Nicobar Is. |
| Indo-China | Thailand |
| Indo-China | Vietnam |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Botanical Identification
Ecology
The ecology of Urceola laevigata is characterized by its specific distribution within montane environments, where it occupies a distinct altitudinal niche. This species is primarily found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 800 m AMSL to a maximum of 1500 m AMSL. Within this vertical gradient, the plant thrives most consistently at a mean elevation of approximately 1150 m AMSL, suggesting an ecological preference for mid-elevation montane zones that provide the specific temperature and moisture regimes required for its growth and survival.
- Elevational range max:
- 1500 m AMSL
- Elevational range mean:
- 1150 m AMSL
- Elevational range min:
- 800 m AMSL
Life history
The life history of Urceola laevigata is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a long-term presence within its ecological niche. Throughout its developmental stages, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, retaining its foliage continuously rather than shedding it seasonally, which ensures a consistent capacity for photosynthesis. This combination of a perennial lifecycle and evergreen deciduousness dictates its survival strategy, enabling the plant to maintain metabolic activity and structural integrity over extended periods.
- Deciduousness :
- evergreen
- Lifecycle :
- perennial
Morphology
The morphology of Urceola laevigata is characterized by a growth form classified as a shrub, though it exhibits a variable degree of woodiness in its structural development. This species functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing its climbing mechanisms to ascend, and is primarily terrestrial in its ecological positioning rather than acting as an epiphyte. It maintains an independent existence as a non-parasitic organism, meaning it does not rely on a host plant for nutrients. In terms of physical scale, the plant can reach a significant mean height of approximately 10 meters.
- Climber :
- obligatory
- Epiphyte :
- terrestrial
- Growth form :
- shrub
- Parasite :
- independent
- Plant height mean:
- 10 m
- Woodiness :
- variable
Physiology
The physiology of Urceola laevigata is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its foliage and its metabolic relationship with soil nutrients. The leaf architecture exhibits significant variability in size, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a mean of 9 cm, reaching a maximum of 13 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 2 cm and a maximum of 5 cm, maintaining an average width of 3.5 cm. Regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil rather than through symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
- Leaf length max:
- 13 cm
- Leaf length mean:
- 9 cm
- Leaf length min:
- 5 cm
- Leaf width max:
- 5 cm
- Leaf width mean:
- 3.5 cm
- Leaf width min:
- 2 cm
- Nitrogen fixer :
- no
Reproduction
The reproduction of Urceola laevigata is characterized by the development of inflorescences that serve as the primary reproductive structures of the plant. These inflorescences exhibit specific morphological dimensions, typically measuring between a minimum of 0.05 m and a maximum of 0.14 m in length. These structures facilitate the flowering process, supporting the biological mechanisms necessary for pollination and subsequent seed production.
- Inflorescence length max:
- 0.14 m
- Inflorescence length min:
- 0.05 m
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Chemicals
Urceola laevigata has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-Pyrocatechuic acid, 5-Methylcytidine, Aesculitannin B, O-acetyl-L-serine, Parameritannin A-1.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| 2-Pyrocatechuic acid | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-Methylcytidine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aesculitannin B | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| O-acetyl-L-serine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Parameritannin A-1 | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Parameritannin A-2 | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Proanthocyanidin A-2 | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Proanthocyanidin A-6 | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cinnamtannin B-1 | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
2-Pyrocatechuic acid
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
5-Methylcytidine
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Aesculitannin B
- Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
O-acetyl-L-serine
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Parameritannin A-1
- Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
Parameritannin A-2
- Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
Proanthocyanidin A-2
- Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
Proanthocyanidin A-6
- Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
cinnamtannin B-1
- Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin