Chinese Buttonbush

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese Buttonbush

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Adina globiflora
• Nauclea adinoides
• Adina globiflora var. macrophylla
• Nauclea nipponica
• Adina nipponica
• Cephalanthus pilulifer
• Adina peduncularis
• Nauclea pilulifera
• Cephalanthus piluliflorus
• Adina pilulifera var. tonkinensis
• Nauclea orientalis var. macrophylla
• Adina globiflora var. tonkinensis

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. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianaales, it is further categorized into the family Rubiaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Adina, specifically the species Adina pilulifera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range across various regions of East and Southeast Asia. Within China, its presence is noted in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan provinces. The distribution extends further into Eastern Asia, specifically reaching the islands of Japan. Additionally, its habitat encompasses parts of the Indo-China peninsula, including Laos. Together, these locations highlight the diverse ecological niches inhabited by Adina pilulifera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Adina pilulifera is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, meaning its perennating buds are located well above the ground level on woody stems, allowing it to persist through unfavorable seasons as a robust perennial. Within the spectrum of plant life forms, it exhibits characteristics of a phanerophyte rather than being a nanophanerophyte, chamaephyte, hemicryptophyte, geophyte, hydrophyte, helophyte, therophyte, or lithophyte. This growth habit supports its development into a woody structure capable of sustaining seasonal growth cycles and long-term survival in its natural habitat.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Adina pilulifera is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a tree or a shrub. It is primarily a terrestrial species, exhibiting neither aquatic nor semiaquatic tendencies, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. Furthermore, it is a terrestrial plant rather than an epiphyte, and it possesses a self-supporting structure, meaning it does not function as a liana, vine, or any other form of climber.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Adina pilulifera 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 root.

Root

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Chemicals

Adina pilulifera has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Morroniside, SARRACENIN.

Morroniside

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

SARRACENIN

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

Preparations

Adina pilulifera has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanol extract.

Ethanol extract

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