Uvaria littoralis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Guatteria cordata
• Uvaria sorzogonensis
• Uvaria macrophylla
• Unona littoralis
• Magnolia fasciculata
• Uva synsepala
• Uvaria ovalifolia var. acrantha
• Uva cordata
• Uvaria macrophylla var. glabrior
• Uvaria acrantha
• Uvaria ovalifolia var. borneensis
• Uvaria synsepala
• Uvaria ovalifolia var. racemiflora
• Unona camphorata
• Uvaria rufescens
• Uvaria ovalifolia

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions within the Asian continent. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it is documented to grow in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Additionally, its presence is noted specifically in the state of Assam. The species also extends into the Indo-China region, specifically including the Andaman Islands. Together, these locations highlight the diverse habitats where the plant can be found.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Uvaria littoralis is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits consistent with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its perennating buds well above the ground level, typically on woody branches, which allows it to survive seasonal environmental changes and maintain a permanent structural presence in its habitat. This growth habit facilitates its development as a climbing or shrubby woody plant, utilizing its elevated buds to navigate through forest understories or coastal vegetation. By sustaining its vital organs above the soil surface, the species ensures continuous growth and reproductive cycles, characteristic of long-lived perennial woody taxa.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Uvaria littoralis is characterized by a woody growth form, functioning primarily as an obligatory climber in the form of a liana. It exhibits a shrub-like structural quality while climbing, reaching an average plant height of approximately 5.5 m. As a terrestrial species, it lacks epiphytic tendencies, establishing itself firmly in the ground rather than growing on other plants.

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height mean:

5.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Uvaria littoralis is characterized by complex metabolic processes tailored to its growth in tropical environments, involving efficient photosynthetic pathways and nutrient uptake mechanisms. As an angiosperm, its physiological framework is centered on the conversion of light energy into chemical energy, supporting the development of its woody structure and reproductive organs. Regarding its relationship with soil nutrients, the plant does not engage in symbiotic nitrogen fixation; therefore, it is classified as a non-nitrogen fixer (trait_1: Nitrogen fixer, trait_value: no). Consequently, its physiological nitrogen acquisition relies entirely on the absorption of nitrates and ammonium ions from the soil through its root system. This dependence necessitates a robust rhizosphere interaction to facilitate the uptake of essential minerals required for protein synthesis and enzymatic functions throughout its vegetative and reproductive cycles.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Uvaria littoralis has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-SITOSTEROL, Daucosterol, Macrophyllin, Onysilin, Taraxerol.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Daucosterol

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Macrophyllin

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Onysilin

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Taraxerol

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

benzoic acid

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica