Alpine pearly everlasting

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Alpine pearly everlasting

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Anaphalis pterocaulon var. sinica

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 Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Anaphalis, with the species being Anaphalis sinica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions of Eastern Asia. In the northernmost reaches of its range, it can be found within the Primorye region of the Russian Far East. Its presence extends significantly into China, where it inhabits the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast territories. Furthermore, the species is documented as growing within the island nation of Japan. Together, these locations highlight the broad ecological footprint of Anaemophilus sinica across the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Anaphalis sinica is characterized by its preference for diverse montane environments, primarily occurring within forest and mountain habitats. This species demonstrates a significant adaptive capacity to varying altitudes, maintaining an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 400 m AMSL to a maximum of 2100 m AMSL. Within this vertical distribution, the plant thrives most consistently at a mean elevation of approximately 1233.33 m AMSL, positioning it as a key component of mid-to-high altitude montane ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1233.33333333333 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

400 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, mountains

Life history

The life history of Anaphalis sinica is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it functions as a geophyte, relying on underground storage organs to survive unfavorable environmental conditions. Furthermore, its classification within the cryptophyte group indicates that its regenerative buds are located below the soil surface, a survival mechanism that protects the plant's vital tissues during dormant periods.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Anaphalis sinica is characterized by a low-growing, herbaceous growth form that typically reaches a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 0.3 m. As a terrestrial species, it grows directly in the soil rather than as an epiphyte. The structure of the plant is notably non-woody, maintaining a soft, herbaceous consistency throughout its stature.

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

0.3 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological profile of Anaphalis sinica is characterized by significant morphological variation in its foliage, which plays a critical role in its metabolic and photosynthetic efficiency. The leaves exhibit a diverse range of dimensions, with lengths typically ranging from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a mean of 4.6875 cm, though exceptional specimens can reach a maximum length of 9 cm. This longitudinal variability is accompanied by a distinct narrowness in leaf structure, as evidenced by width measurements that fluctuate between a minimum of 0.2 cm and a maximum of 1.5 cm, maintaining an average width of approximately 1 cm. These specific leaf dimensions suggest a specialized adaptation in surface area-to-volume ratios, influencing the plant's transpiration rates and light interception capabilities within its natural habitat.

Leaf length max:

9 cm

Leaf length mean:

4.6875 cm

Leaf length min:

2.5 cm

Leaf width max:

1.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

1 cm

Leaf width min:

0.2 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Anaphalis sinica is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and the production of minute fruit structures. The plant's flowering period typically commences in July and concludes in August, although the timing can be variable. Following successful pollination, the plant produces small fruits that exhibit minimal size variation. The fruit length is characterized by a mean measurement of 0.085 cm, with individual fruit dimensions ranging from a minimum of 0.07 cm to a maximum of 0.1 cm.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

0.1 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.085 cm

Fruit length min:

0.07 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Anaphalis sinica has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5,7-Dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone, Scutellarin, Tiliroside, helipyrone, kaempferol.

5,7-Dihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Scutellarin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Tiliroside

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

helipyrone

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

kaempferol

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

quercetin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica