Ainsliaea fragrans

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ainsliaea cordifolia var. integrifolia
• Ainsliaea rubrifolia
• Ainsliaea mollis
• Ainsliaea fragrans var. integrifolia
• Ainsliaea asarifolia
• Ainsliaea integrifolia
• Ainsliaea ningpoensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Ainsliaea fragrans, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae and falls under the genus Ainsliaea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several key regions within Eastern Asia. In China, its presence is noted in the South-Central and Southeast territories. Furthermore, the species can be found naturally growing in Japan. It also occupies specific habitats throughout Taiwan. Collectively, these locations define the natural geographical range of Ainsliaea fragrans.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ainsliaea fragrans is characterized by a highly versatile altitudinal distribution, allowing it to inhabit a wide range of vertical gradients within its native landscape. This species demonstrates remarkable adaptability, occurring at low-lying elevations starting as low as 30 m AMSL and ascending to significant high-altitude environments reaching a maximum of 2800 m AMSL. Throughout its geographic range, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1566.67 m AMSL, suggesting that it most frequently thrives in mid-elevation montane or sub-montane ecological zones. This broad elevational breadth indicates that the species can tolerate diverse climatic conditions, from warmer, lowland environments to the cooler, potentially more temperate or sub-alpine conditions found at its upper limits.

Elevational range max:

2800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1566.66666666667 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

30 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Ainsliaea fragrans is characterized by its classification as a perennial, meaning it lives for more than two years and maintains its presence in its habitat through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it does not rely on a single reproductive event to complete its cycle but instead possesses the capacity for sustained growth and repeated flowering over time. This lifecycle allows the plant to establish robust root systems and woody structures that enable it to withstand seasonal fluctuations and perennialize its existence within its ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ainsliaea fragrans is characterized by its growth form as a herb, specifically categorized as a non-woody plant. In terms of its structural development, it exhibits a non-woody constitution, lacking the lignified tissues found in shrubs or trees. Furthermore, the plant functions as a self-supporting climber, meaning it possesses the structural integrity to maintain its own upright position without requiring external support through obligatory or facultative climbing mechanisms.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological morphology of Ainsliaea fragrans is characterized by significant variability in its foliar dimensions, which play a critical role in its photosynthetic capacity and environmental adaptation. The leaves exhibit a broad range of longitudinal development, with minimum lengths recorded at 1 cm and a mean leaf length of approximately 3.38 cm, reaching a maximum potential of 11 cm. This longitudinal variation is complemented by a distinct range in transverse development; the leaf width fluctuates from a minimum of 0.3 cm to a maximum of 5 cm. Such morphological plasticity in leaf surface area suggests a physiological mechanism capable of optimizing light interception and gas exchange across varying microclimatic conditions.

Leaf length max:

11 cm

Leaf length mean:

3.38333333333333 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.3 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ainsliaea fragrans is characterized by its specific inflorescence and fruit dimensions. The plant produces inflorescences that vary in length, ranging from a minimum of 0.018 m to a maximum of 0.18 m. Following pollination, the development of the fruit occurs, with individual fruits exhibiting a size range between 0.4 cm and 0.6 cm in length. On average, the fruit length measures approximately 0.5 cm, facilitating the dispersal of seeds essential for the species' continued propagation.

Fruit length max:

0.6 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.5 cm

Fruit length min:

0.4 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.18 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.018 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ainsliaea fragrans has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3,5-Dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-Dicaffeoylquinic acid, Coumarin Derivatives.

3,5-Dicaffeoylquinic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

4,5-Dicaffeoylquinic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Coumarin Derivatives

1. Scientific reports

Preparations

Ainsliaea fragrans has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include whole herb, whole plant.

Whole herb

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Whole plant

1. Scientific reports