Angelica megaphylla

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Peucedanum megaphyllum

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 Apiales, it is a member of the family Apiaceae. Specifically, it is classified under the genus Angelica as Angelica megaphylla.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to specific regions within the East Asian landscape. Its documented geographical distribution is primarily focused within China. More specifically, it can be found thriving in the South-Central part of the country. This localized range highlights its unique environmental requirements for growth. Therefore, understanding its habitat in South-Central China is essential for its study.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Angelica megaphylla is characterized by its specific distribution within high-altitude montane environments, where it occupies a distinct vertical niche. This species is primarily found across an elevational range that begins at 1500 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL. Within this specialized habitat, the plant thrives most consistently at a mean elevation of 1750 m AMSL, suggesting that its physiological requirements and reproductive success are optimized within this mid-to-high altitude belt. This narrow altitudinal band indicates that the species is adapted to the specific climatic conditions, such as temperature fluctuations and moisture levels, typical of these specific elevations.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1750 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Angelica megaphylla is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Throughout its development, the plant undergoes distinct phenological stages typical of long-lived herbaceous perennials, establishing a robust root system that supports its survival during dormant periods. Its lifecycle allows for a variable growth pattern depending on environmental conditions, often involving a period of vegetative establishment before transitioning into its reproductive phase. Once mature, the plant invests significant energy into producing large, complex inflorescences to facilitate seed production, ensuring the continuation of its lineage through the dispersal of seeds into suitable habitats.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Reproduction

The reproduction of Angelica megaphylla is characterized by the development of small, specialized fruits that exhibit specific morphological variations in size. These fruits display a longitudinal dimension with a mean length of 0.575 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.45 cm to a maximum of 0.7 cm. In terms of transverse dimension, the fruit width varies from a minimum of 0.4 cm to a maximum of 0.6 cm, maintaining an overall mean width of 0.5 cm. These precise measurements in fruit length and width define the structural parameters of the plant's reproductive output.

Fruit length max:

0.7 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.575 cm

Fruit length min:

0.45 cm

Fruit width max:

0.6 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.5 cm

Fruit width min:

0.4 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Angelica megaphylla has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Angelol, Ligustilone.

Angelol

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Ligustilone

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials