Urceola micrantha

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Parabarium linearicarpum
• Parabarium utile
• Urceola linearicarpa
• Parabarium langbiani
• Cudicia gyrandra
• Parabarium diu-do
• Parabarium chevalieri
• Ecdysanthera annamensis
• Ecdysanthera brachiata
• Ecdysanthera cambodiensis
• Echites micranthus
• Ecdysanthera utilis
• Parabarium diu-do var. longifolia
• Chavannesia montana
• Ecdysanthera multiflora
• Urceola montana
• Parabarium micranthum
• Parabarium multiflorum
• Ecdysanthera langbiani
• Parabarium vernetii
• Ecdysanthera linearicarpa
• Parabarium spireanum
• Ecdysanthera micrantha
• Parabarium utile var. kerrii
• Parabarium brachiatum
• Parabarium cambodiensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianales, it is classified under the family Apocynaceae and belongs to the genus Urceoia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across various regions of East Asia. In China, its presence is noted in the South-Central areas as well as throughout the Southeast. It can also be found growing in the unique environment of Hainan. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Beyond mainland China, its geographical reach includes the Nansei-shotō islands in Eastern Asia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Urceola micrantha is characterized by a growth form classified as a shrub, though it functions as an obligatory climber. It exhibits a variable degree of woodiness and reaches a significant plant height with a mean measurement of approximately 50 m. Despite its climbing habit, the plant is an independent species rather than a parasite, and it maintains a terrestrial existence rather than being an epiphyte.

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

50 m

Woodiness :

variable

Physiology

The physiology of Urceola micrantha is characterized by metabolic processes typical of many woody shrubs, focusing on efficient nutrient uptake and photosynthetic efficiency within its specific ecological niche. In terms of its relationship with soil chemistry and nutrient cycling, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its physiological growth and development are heavily dependent on the availability of nitrates and ammonium present in the soil substrate. The plant manages its internal nitrogen economy through active transport mechanisms in the root system to maintain homeostasis, ensuring that nitrogen assimilation supports the synthesis of essential proteins, chlorophyll, and nucleic acids necessary for cellular respiration and structural integrity.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Urceola micrantha 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. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Chemicals

Urceola micrantha has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Epicatechin, Proanthocyanidin A1, Proanthocyanidin A2, Procyanidin B2, aesculitannin C.

Epicatechin

1. Journal of natural products

Proanthocyanidin A1

1. Journal of natural products

Proanthocyanidin A2

1. Journal of natural products

Procyanidin B2

1. Journal of natural products

aesculitannin C

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Urceola micrantha has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Preparations