Ainsliaea smithii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Ainsliaea smithii, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae and is placed in the genus Ainsliaea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Ainsliaea smithii, possesses a very specific and limited geographical range. According to botanical records, its natural occurrence is confined to a particular region of Asia. Specifically, it is found within the South-Central part of China. Because its distribution is so localized, it is considered an endemic species to this particular area. Understanding this restricted habitat is essential for the conservation of the species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ainsliaea smithii is characterized by its specialized occupation of high-altitude montane environments, specifically within a narrow vertical distribution. This species thrives in alpine or subalpine zones, maintaining a strictly defined elevational range that is centered around a mean altitude of 3250 m AMSL. Its habitat extends from a minimum elevation of 3100 m AMSL to a maximum peak of 3400 m AMSL, indicating a preference for the cool, often moisture-rich conditions typical of these high-elevation ecosystems. This restricted altitudinal belt suggests that the plant is highly adapted to the specific temperature gradients, atmospheric pressures, and soil compositions found within this 300-meter vertical window.

Elevational range max:

3400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

3250 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

3100 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Ainsliaea smithii is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it completes its life cycle over multiple years rather than in a single growing season. As a perennial, the plant maintains a persistent presence in its habitat, typically utilizing underground structures to survive dormant periods and regrow during favorable environmental conditions. This long-term survival strategy allows the plant to establish a stable foothold in its ecological niche, contributing to its continuous presence in the landscape through successive growing seasons.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ainsliaea smithii is characterized by its growth form as a herb, appearing as a non-woody plant throughout its structure. In terms of its physical habit, it is classified as a self-supporting clamber, meaning it does not rely on external structures for support like obligatory or facultative climbers, but instead maintains its own upright or spreading posture.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological profile of Ainsliaea smithii is characterized by distinct morphological variations in its leaf structure, which facilitate its metabolic and photosynthetic processes. The foliage exhibits a measurable range in dimensions, with leaf lengths typically maintaining a mean value of 9.5 cm. Within its developmental spectrum, the leaf length can vary from a minimum of 7 cm to a maximum of 12 cm. Complementing these longitudinal dimensions is a specific width profile, where the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 5 cm and a maximum of 9.5 cm. These specific measurements in leaf surface area are critical to the plant's ability to regulate gas exchange and optimize light interception for energy production.

Leaf length max:

12 cm

Leaf length mean:

9.5 cm

Leaf length min:

7 cm

Leaf width max:

9.5 cm

Leaf width min:

5 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ainsliaea smithii is characterized by the development of small, uniform fruit structures that serve as the primary vehicle for seed dispersal. Based on morphological data, the fruit exhibits a highly consistent size profile, with a recorded fruit length that remains constant across all observed samples. Specifically, the fruit length maintains a mean, minimum, and maximum value of exactly 0.5 cm, indicating a very narrow range of variation in this reproductive stage. This precision in fruit dimensions suggests a specialized evolutionary adaptation for consistent dispersal patterns within its native habitat.

Fruit length max:

0.5 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ainsliaea smithii has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Epi-Friedelanol, Ursolic acid.

Epi-Friedelanol

1. Natural product research

Ursolic acid

1. Natural product research

Preparations

Ainsliaea smithii has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aq. methanolic extract.

Aq. methanolic extract

1. Natural product research