Vincetoxicum hirsutum (Wall.) Kuntze

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Ovate Tylophora

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Diplolepis ovata
• Vincetoxicum lindleyi
• Diplolepis apiculata
• Tylophora hirsuta
• Tylophora hirsuta var. penangensis
• Tylophora hispida
• Tylophora hispida var. balansae
• Tylophora hispida var. brownii
• Tylophora lanyuensis
• Tylophora jacquemontii
• Tylophora mollissima
• Tylophora ovata
• Tylophora ovata var. balansae
• Tylophora ovata var. lanyuensis
• Tylophora panzhutenga
• Tylophora pilosissima
• Tylophora atrofolliculata
• Vincetoxicum hispidum
• Vincetoxicum mollissimum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Gentianaales and placed in the family Apocynaceae. It is further categorized under the genus Vincetoxicum, specifically identified as the species Vincetoxicum hirsutum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions of Asia. In China, it can be found throughout the South-Central provinces as well as the Southeast regions. Its presence is also noted on the tropical island of Hainan. Moving further east, the species is documented in Taiwan within Eastern Asia. Additionally, the plant extends into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically inhabiting the Assam region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Vincetoxicum hirsutum is characterized by a highly specific altitudinal niche, as the species is consistently documented at an elevation of 900 m AMSL. This precise elevational range, which maintains a uniform minimum, mean, and maximum value of 900 m AMSL, suggests a specialized adaptation to particular mountain or plateau strata where environmental variables such as temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure remain stable. Such a narrow vertical distribution indicates that the plant's survival is closely tied to the specific climatic conditions and soil compositions found at this exact altitude, limiting its occurrence to very specific ecological belts within its habitat.

Elevational range max:

900 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Vincetoxicum hirsutum is characterized by its growth habit as an obligatory climber, utilizing specialized structures to ascend supporting vegetation. This climbing plant can reach a significant plant height, with a documented mean height of approximately 5 m. Its vegetative structure is defined by its sprawling and climbing stems, which facilitate its upward movement through surrounding flora to reach sunlight.

Climber :

obligatory

Plant height mean:

5 m

Physiology

The physiology of Vincetoxicum hirsutum is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its foliage and its metabolic relationship with soil nutrients. The plant exhibits significant variability in its leaf structure, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 6 cm, maintaining an overall mean length of 4.25 cm. Similarly, the leaf width shows a diverse range, fluctuating between a minimum of 2 cm and a maximum of 5.5 cm, resulting in a mean width of 3.75 cm. In terms of nutrient acquisition and nitrogen cycling, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on available soil nitrogen rather than symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria to support its metabolic processes.

Leaf length max:

6 cm

Leaf length mean:

4.25 cm

Leaf length min:

2.5 cm

Leaf width max:

5.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

3.75 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Vincetoxicum hirsutum is characterized by the development of distinct fruit structures that vary in dimension. The resulting fruits exhibit a notable range in size, with lengths typically spanning from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 7 cm, while maintaining an average length of 5.5 cm. In terms of width, the fruits are relatively narrow, measuring as little as 0.7 cm at their minimum, reaching a maximum width of 1.2 cm, and maintaining a mean width of 0.95 cm.

Fruit length max:

7 cm

Fruit length mean:

5.5 cm

Fruit length min:

4 cm

Fruit width max:

1.2 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.95 cm

Fruit width min:

0.7 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Vincetoxicum hirsutum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Phytochemistry
2. Journal of natural products
3. Planta medica

Stem

1. Planta medica

Chemicals

Vincetoxicum hirsutum has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Isomeleagrin, Isomethylmeleagrin G, Meleagrin F, Meleagrin G, Meleagrin H.

Isomeleagrin

1. Phytochemistry

Isomethylmeleagrin G

1. Phytochemistry

Meleagrin F

1. Phytochemistry

Meleagrin G

1. Phytochemistry

Meleagrin H

1. Phytochemistry

Methylmeleagrin G

1. Phytochemistry

Tylophovatine C

1. Planta medica

blennolide L

1. Phytochemistry

Activities

Vincetoxicum hirsutum has 1 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Toxic.

Toxic

1. Journal of natural products
2. Phytochemistry
3. Journal of Asian natural products research

Preparations

Vincetoxicum hirsutum has 1 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include fresh leaves.

Fresh leaves

1. Phytochemistry