Aconitum tanguticum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aconitum qinghaiense
• Aconitum tanguticum f. robustum
• Aconitum tanguticum var. trichocarpum
• Aconitum tanguticum f. viridulum
• Aconitum wolongense
• Aconitum rotundifolium var. tanguticum
• Aconitum iochanicum var. robustum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Ranunculales, it is classified under the family Ranunculaceae and the genus Aconitum. Specifically, it is identified as the species Aconitum tanguticum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed throughout specific mountainous regions of China. It can be found growing across the landscapes of China South-Central and China North-Central. Additionally, the species has a notable presence within the province of Qinghai. Its natural habitat also extends significantly into the Tibet region. Collectively, these areas define the core geographical range of Aconitum tanguticum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aconitum tanguticum is defined by its preference for high-altitude alpine environments, where it occupies a specialized niche within mountainous ecosystems. This species thrives across a significant vertical gradient, with its distribution spanning a broad elevational range that characterizes its adaptation to harsh, high-mountain climates. It is typically found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 3,200 m AMSL to a maximum of 4,800 m AMSL, maintaining a mean elevation of approximately 4,000 m AMSL. This distribution suggests that the plant is well-adapted to the low temperatures, intense ultraviolet radiation, and specific soil compositions found in subalpine and alpine meadows or rocky slopes within these high-altitude zones.

Elevational range max:

4800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

4000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

3200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Aconitum tanguticum is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years and undergoes repeated seasonal cycles of growth and dormancy. As a perennial herb, it typically establishes itself through a robust underground root system, often consisting of tuberous or fleshy roots that serve as storage organs to sustain the plant through winter months. During the active growing season, the plant emerges from its dormant state to develop foliage and eventually produces its distinctive flowering structures. This life cycle allows the species to accumulate energy over multiple years, enabling it to withstand environmental fluctuations and invest heavily in reproductive efforts during favorable seasons. The reproductive phase involves the production of seeds, which facilitate the dispersal and establishment of new individuals, ensuring the continuation of the species across its natural habitat.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Aconitum tanguticum is characterized by its growth as a non-woody herb, exhibiting a self-supporting habit without any climbing tendencies. As a herbaceous forb, the plant maintains a relatively low stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.08 m to a maximum of 0.5 m, while maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.29 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.29 m

Plant height min:

0.08 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of the foliage in Aconitum tanguticum are defined by specific morphological dimensions that govern its photosynthetic surface area. The leaf structure exhibits significant variability in size, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 1.1 cm to a maximum of 3 cm, maintaining an average length of approximately 2.05 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 1.1 cm and a maximum of 3 cm, resulting in a mean leaf width of 2.05 cm. These dimensional parameters suggest a compact foliar development, where the leaf length and width values often mirror each other, contributing to the plant's overall vegetative efficiency and structural adaptation.

Leaf length max:

3 cm

Leaf length mean:

2.05 cm

Leaf length min:

1.1 cm

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width mean:

2.05 cm

Leaf width min:

1.1 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Aconitum tangutiicum is characterized by the development of small, specialized fruit structures that contain its reproductive progeny. The fruit morphology exhibits specific dimensional variations, with a measured mean fruit length of 0.225 cm. Within the population, these fruits range in size from a minimum length of 0.2 cm to a maximum length of 0.25 cm. Following the maturation of these fruits, the plant produces seeds that carry a mean mass of 0.0691 g, facilitating its dispersal and subsequent establishment in its natural habitat.

Fruit length max:

0.25 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.225 cm

Fruit length min:

0.2 cm

Seed mass mean:

0.0691 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Aconitum tanguticum has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiviral.

Antiviral

1. Chinese medicine

Conditions

Aconitum tanguticum has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include acute lung injury, food poisoning, gastrointestinal diseases, hepatitis, influenza.

Acute lung injury

1. Chinese medicine

Food poisoning

1. Chinese medicine

Gastrointestinal diseases

1. Chinese medicine

Hepatitis

1. Chinese medicine

Influenza

1. Chinese medicine

Lung inflammation

1. Chinese medicine

Preparations

Aconitum tanguticum has 5 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include whole plant, 70% alcohol reflux extraction, aerial part, whole dried plant, ″Bangga″.

Whole plant

1. Journal of Asian natural products research
2. Natural products and bioprospecting

70% alcohol reflux extraction

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Aerial part

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Whole dried plant

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

″bangga″

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica