Aconitum vilmorinianum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ranunculales, it is a member of the family Ranunculaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is established within the genus Aconitum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Aconitum vilmorinianum, possesses a specific and localized geographical range. Its natural habitat is primarily concentrated within the regional landscapes of China. Specifically, the species is found inhabiting the areas of China South-Central. This distribution suggests that the plant thrives under the particular climatic conditions found in that part of the country. Consequently, its presence is a defining characteristic of the botanical diversity within these South-Central territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aconitum vilmorinianum is strictly defined by its high-altitude habitat requirements, as it thrives within a specific montane or subalpine vertical niche. This species is primarily distributed across an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 2100 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2500 m AMSL. Within this specialized altitudinal belt, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 2300 m AMSL, indicating a preference for the cool, temperate conditions typical of high-mountain environments. Such a restricted elevational distribution suggests that the species is adapted to the particular atmospheric pressures, temperature fluctuations, and soil moisture levels found exclusively within this 400-meter vertical window.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2100 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Aconitum vilmorinianum is characterized by its herbaceous growth form, manifesting as a non-woody plant that lacks woody tissue. This species exhibits a climbing habit, functioning specifically as a self-supporting climber. In terms of its physical dimensions, the plant can reach a significant stature, with a mean plant height of approximately 4 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Plant height mean:

4 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological development of the foliage in Aconitum vilmorinianum is characterized by specific morphological dimensions that define its vegetative structure. The leaves exhibit a notable degree of variability in their spatial dimensions, with leaf lengths typically ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 10 cm, maintaining an overall mean length of 7.5 cm. This longitudinal growth is accompanied by a corresponding lateral expansion, where leaf widths fluctuate between a minimum of 8 cm and a maximum of 15.5 cm, resulting in a mean width of 11.75 cm. These dimensional parameters suggest a robust surface area optimized for photosynthetic activity, reflecting the plant's capacity to manage light interception and gas exchange through its varied leaf proportions.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

7.5 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

15.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

11.75 cm

Leaf width min:

8 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Aconitum vilmorinianum is characterized by the development of specialized fruit structures that play a critical role in its life cycle. The fruit exhibits a highly consistent morphology, with measurements showing no deviation across different specimens. Specifically, the fruit length remains uniform, maintaining a mean length of 0.3 cm, which is consistent with both the minimum and maximum recorded values of 0.3 cm. This precision in fruit size suggests a standardized developmental process for the dispersal units of the plant.

Fruit length max:

0.3 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Aconitum vilmorinianum has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Yunaconitine, Flavonoids, Glycosides, N-Desethyl-N-formyl-8-O-methyltalatisamine.

Yunaconitine

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

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Glycosides

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

N-Desethyl-N-formyl-8-O-methyltalatisamine

1. Journal of natural medicines

Activities

Aconitum vilmorinianum has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. Phytochemistry

Antioxidant

1. Phytochemistry

Medicinal Uses

Aconitum vilmorinianum has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include allodynia, analgesia, arthritis, bruises, inflammation.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations