Alangium kurzii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Marlea tomentosa
• Alangium begoniifolium var. typicum
• Alangium chungii
• Alangium chinense var. tomentosum
• Alangium handelii
• Alangium kurzii var. handelii
• Alangium kurzii var. laxiflorum
• Alangium kurzii var. umbellatum
• Alangium rotundifolium var. laxifolium
• Alangium umbellatum
• Diacicarpium tomentosum

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 Cornales and the family Cornaceae, it is further classified under the genus Alangium. Specifically, this medicinal species is identified by its scientific name, Alangium kurzii.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad and varied geographical distribution across several distinct regions. Within China, its presence is documented in the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast territories. Additionally, the species can be found growing on the island of Hainan. Moving beyond China, the plant is also distributed throughout the Indian Subcontinent. Specifically, its range extends into the rugged terrain of the East Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Alangium kurzii is characterized by its existence as a perennial organism, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategy, the species exhibits a dual classification of life forms, functioning as both a phanerophyte, where its conductive organs are elevated above the ground, and a nanophanerophyte. This plant follows a deciduous growth pattern, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its natural seasonal cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Alangium kurzii is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a tree. This species exhibits significant variation in stature, with plant heights ranging from a minimum of 5 m to a maximum of 20 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 7.5 m. Regarding its structural habit, the plant can function as a self-supporting organism, though it also exhibits climbing characteristics, possessing the capacity to act as a liana or vine. It is a terrestrial species that grows independently rather than functioning as a parasite.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

7.5 m

Plant height min:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Alangium kurzii is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic approach to carbon fixation and energy production. The plant's vegetative structure exhibits specific morphological dimensions, particularly in its foliage, where the leaf length typically maintains a mean of 13 cm, ranging from a minimum of 12 cm to a maximum of 14 cm. Complementing this, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 7 cm and a maximum of 9 cm. Furthermore, the structural integrity and biomass distribution of the plant are reflected in its stem specific density (SSD), which possesses a mean value of 465 mg/cm³.

Leaf length max:

14 cm

Leaf length mean:

13 cm

Leaf length min:

12 cm

Leaf width max:

9 cm

Leaf width min:

7 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

465 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Alangium kurzii is characterized by the development of fleshy fruits that serve as the primary vessel for its seeds. These fruits exhibit specific morphological dimensions, typically maintaining a mean length of 1.35 cm, though they can vary from a minimum of 1.2 cm to a maximum of 1.5 cm. In terms of width, the fruit remains consistent, with a mean, minimum, and maximum measurement all recorded at 0.8 cm. The texture of the fruit is notably fleshy, a trait that aids in its biological role. Within these fruits, the seeds possess a measurable volume that ranges from a minimum of 150 mm³ to a maximum of 200 mm³, with an overall mean seed volume of approximately 173.33 mm³.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

1.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.35 cm

Fruit length min:

1.2 cm

Fruit width max:

0.8 cm

Seed volume max:

200 mm³

Seed volume mean:

173.333333333333 mm³

Seed volume min:

150 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Alangium kurzii 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Chemicals

Alangium kurzii has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Alangiside, Demethylalangiside, uridine.

Alangiside

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Demethylalangiside

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

uridine

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Preparations

Alangium kurzii has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves.

Leaves

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin