Urceola laevigata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• 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.

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.

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.

2-Pyrocatechuic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

5-Methylcytidine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aesculitannin B

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

O-acetyl-L-serine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Parameritannin A-1

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Parameritannin A-2

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Proanthocyanidin A-2

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Proanthocyanidin A-6

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

cinnamtannin B-1

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin