Willughbeia edulis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Willughbeia cochinchinensis
• Willughbeia martabanica
• Pacouria roxburghii
• Ambelania edulis
• Ancylocladus curtisianus
• Ancylocladus edulis
• Ancylocladus cochinchinensis
• Willughbeia curtisiana
• Willughbeia kontumensis
• Willughbeia dulcis

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 and order Gentianales, it is a member of the family Apocynaceae. Finally, it is specifically identified under the genus Willughbeia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across parts of South and Southeast Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in the region of Assam and throughout Bangladesh. Its presence extends into the Indo-China peninsula, where it inhabits the landscapes of Cambodia. Additionally, the species is documented to grow within the borders of Laos. Finally, its natural range includes the territory of Myanmar.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Willughbeiia eduulis is characterized by its growth habit as a woody liana, functioning as an obligatory climber. It is an independent plant that maintains a terrestrial existence rather than acting as an epiphyte. This climbing species can reach significant dimensions in the forest canopy, with a mean plant height of approximately 25 m and a maximum potential height of up to 30 m.

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Willughbeia eduulis is characterized by its metabolic processes as a woody climber, primarily driven by efficient photosynthetic mechanisms adapted to tropical forest environments. As a member of the Annonaceae family, its physiological activity focuses on the synthesis of secondary metabolites, including acetogenins, which serve as chemical defense mechanisms against herbivory. The plant exhibits a complex vascular system designed to transport nutrients and water upward through its climbing stems to support its dense canopy. Regarding its nutrient acquisition and symbiotic relationships, Willughbeia eduulis does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the physiological specialized structures, such as root nodules containing nitrogen-fixing bacteria, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms. Instead, its nitrogen uptake is strictly dependent on the absorption of nitrates and ammonium ions from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Willughbeia edulis 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 fruit.

Fruit

1. PeerJ

Activities

Willughbeia edulis has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Diuretic.

Diuretic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Willughbeia edulis has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude ethanol extracts.

Crude ethanol extracts

1. Molecular medicine reports