Uvaria calamistrata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Magnoliales. Finally, it is a member of the family Annonaceae, specifically falling under the genus Uvaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within certain regions of Asia. In China, it can be found growing in the tropical environment of Hainan. Its presence is also documented across the broader area of Southeast China. Moving into the Indo-China region, the species extends its range into Vietnam. These locations define the primary natural habitats where this medicinal plant is situated.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Uvaria calamistrata is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to maintain its presence in its natural habitat through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it does not undergo the rapid cycle of death following a single reproductive event like annuals, nor does it follow the two-year cycle typical of biennials; instead, it invests energy into long-term structural development and sustained biological functions. This longevity enables the plant to establish stable root systems and woody structures that support continuous growth and periodic reproductive phases over many years. Through this extended lifecycle, the plant can navigate varying environmental conditions, ensuring its survival and ability to contribute to the local ecosystem across successive seasons.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Uvaria calamistrata is characterized by a woody growth form that typically manifests as a shrub. This plant reaches an average height of approximately 6 m and exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height mean:

6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Uvaria calamistrata is characterized by specific morphological variations in its foliage and a lack of symbiotic nitrogen-fixing capabilities. The plant exhibits significant plasticity in its leaf dimensions, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 17 cm, maintaining an average length of approximately 11 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 2 cm and a maximum of 7 cm, reflecting the structural diversity of its photosynthetic surfaces. Unlike certain legumes, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external soil nutrient availability rather than biological nitrogen fixation to support its metabolic processes and growth.

Leaf length max:

17 cm

Leaf length mean:

11 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

7 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Uvaria calamistrata is characterized by the development of fleshy fruits that follow a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, suggesting that the plant relies on animals for seed distribution. The morphology of the fruit exhibits significant variation in size; the fruit length typically ranges from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 3.5 cm, with an average length of approximately 2.75 cm. Similarly, the fruit width varies from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm, maintaining a mean width of 2 cm. These dimensions and the reliance on animal vectors facilitate the propagation of the species across its natural habitat.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit length max:

3.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

2.75 cm

Fruit length min:

2 cm

Fruit width max:

2.5 cm

Fruit width mean:

2 cm

Fruit width min:

1.5 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Uvaria calamistrata has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, stem.

Root

1. Journal of natural products
2. Organic & biomolecular chemistry

Stem

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Uvaria calamistrata has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Uvacalol A, Uvacalol B, Uvacalol C, Uvacalol E, Uvacalol G.

Uvacalol A

1. Journal of Asian natural products research
2. Organic & biomolecular chemistry

Uvacalol B

1. Journal of Asian natural products research
2. Organic & biomolecular chemistry

Uvacalol C

1. Journal of Asian natural products research
2. Organic & biomolecular chemistry

Uvacalol E

1. Journal of Asian natural products research
2. Organic & biomolecular chemistry

Uvacalol G

1. Organic & biomolecular chemistry

Uvarigranin

1. Journal of natural products

Uvarigrin

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Uvaria calamistrata has 1 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Uvaria calamistrata has 1 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include stems.

Stems

1. Phytochemistry