Alseodaphnopsis andersonii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Alseodaphne andersonii
• Cryptocarya andersonii
• Alseodaphne keenanii

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 Laurales, it is classified under the family Lauraceae. It is specifically identified by its genus, Alséodaphnopsis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several distinct Asian regions. Within China, it is primarily found in the South-Central areas as well as the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Its distribution extends into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically covering Assam and the East Himalaya. Additionally, the species can be located within the Indo-China region, specifically in Laos. Together, these locations highlight a broad habitat spanning from the Himalayas to Southeast Asia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Alseodaphnopsis andersonii is characterized by its specific distribution within high-altitude montane environments, where it occupies a distinct niche defined by its altitudinal preferences. This species is primarily found in mid-to-high elevation zones, maintaining a narrow ecological band that begins at a minimum elevation of 1200 m AMSL. Its presence is most concentrated around a mean elevation of 1350 m AMSL, suggesting an optimization for the specific climatic and soil conditions found at this level. The species reaches its upper limit at an elevation of 1500 m AMSL, marking the ceiling of its viable habitat. This limited elevational range indicates that the plant is likely sensitive to the temperature fluctuations and atmospheric pressures associated with varying mountain strata, thriving specifically within this 300-meter vertical corridor.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1350 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Alseodaphnopsis andersonii is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a perennial species, it establishes a long-term presence within its ecological niche, undergoing repeated cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive phases. This sustained lifecycle enables the plant to accumulate biomass and structural complexity over time, contributing to its stability within its native habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Alseodaphnopsis andersonii is characterized by a robust growth form, primarily manifesting as a tree. This woody plant can reach a significant stature, with a mean plant height of approximately 25 m. In terms of its structural habit, the species exhibits a self-supporting climbing nature, functioning as a liana or vine that maintains its own structural integrity without being strictly obligatory or facultative in its climbing mechanism.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological profile of Alseodaphnopsis andersonii is characterized by specific morphological dimensions and structural density parameters that define its vegetative growth. The foliar development of the species exhibits significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 12 cm to a maximum of 24 cm, maintaining an average length of 18 cm. Complementing this longitudinal growth, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 6 cm and a maximum of 12 cm. Furthermore, the structural integrity of the plant's vascular support is reflected in its stem specific density (SSD), which maintains a mean value of 570 mg/cm³.

Leaf length max:

24 cm

Leaf length mean:

18 cm

Leaf length min:

12 cm

Leaf width max:

12 cm

Leaf width min:

6 cm

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

570 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Alseodaphnopsis andersonii is characterized by its distinctive inflorescence and fruit morphology. The plant produces inflorescences that vary in length, ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 0.35 m. Following pollination, the development of the fruit is highly consistent in its dimensions; the fruit length is remarkably uniform, maintaining a constant measurement of 5 cm (with a minimum, mean, and maximum all recorded at 5 cm). Similarly, the fruit width shows no variance in the recorded data, measuring consistently at 2.8 cm, which serves as both its minimum, mean, and maximum width.

Fruit length max:

5 cm

Fruit width max:

2.8 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.35 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.2 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Alseodaphnopsis andersonii has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, stem.

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Stem

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Alseodaphnopsis andersonii has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Alseodafuranone, Tocols.

Alseodafuranone

1. Journal of natural products

Tocols

1. Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids