Torres Strait scrambler

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Torres Strait scrambler

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Uva rufa
• Uvaria fauveliana
• Uvaria solanifolia
• Unona setigera
• Uvaria bancana
• Uvaria astrosticta
• Uvaria hamiltonii var. fauveliana
• Uvaria setigera
• Uvaria ridleyi
• Uvaria branderhorstii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. Within China, it can be found specifically in the South-Central areas as well as on the island of Hainan. Its presence extends into the Indo-China region, encompassing the Andaman Islands. Furthermore, the species is documented to grow within the borders of Cambodia. Finally, its natural habitat includes the country of Laos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Uvaria rufa is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it maintains its vegetative structure and continues to grow through multiple growing seasons over an extended period. As a perennial woody plant, it does not follow the rapid cycle of annuals or the intermediate rhythm of biennials; instead, it establishes a stable presence within its ecosystem, investing energy into long-term survival and structural development. This perennial lifecycle allows the plant to endure seasonal fluctuations and engage in repeated reproductive cycles, contributing to its sustained presence in its natural habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Uvaria rufa is characterized by its woody growth form, functioning primarily as a shrub or a liana. As an obligatory climber, it exhibits a liana habit to ascend, rather than being self-supporting. The plant is terrestrial in nature and grows as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, it reaches a plant height ranging from a minimum of 4 m to a maximum of 5 m, with an average height of approximately 4.75 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

4.75 m

Plant height min:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological profile of Uvaria rufa is characterized by specific vegetative dimensions and metabolic properties, particularly regarding its nutritional acquisition. The plant's foliage exhibits significant morphological variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 15 cm, maintaining a mean length of approximately 10 cm. The width of these leaves fluctuates between a minimum of 2.5 cm and a maximum of 6 cm, reflecting a structural adaptation to its environmental niche. In terms of nutrient cycling and soil interaction, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, relying instead on organic matter or soil nitrogen uptake to support its physiological processes.

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length mean:

10 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

6 cm

Leaf width min:

2.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Uvaria rufa is characterized by the development of fleshy fruits that serve as the primary vessel for seed dispersal. These fruits exhibit significant morphological variation, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 2 cm, and a mean length of approximately 1.5 cm. In terms of width, the fruits vary from 1 cm at their minimum to 1.5 cm at their maximum, maintaining a mean width of 1.25 cm. The internal reproductive components consist of seeds with a consistent volume recorded at 490 mm³, representing both the minimum, maximum, and mean values for the species. The fleshy nature of the fruit provides a suitable environment for seed protection and facilitates the dispersal process essential for the plant's life cycle.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

2 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.5 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit width max:

1.5 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.25 cm

Fruit width min:

1 cm

Seed volume max:

490 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Uvaria rufa has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CYCLOHEXENE, Ferrudiol.

CYCLOHEXENE

1. Natural product research

Ferrudiol

1. Natural product research