Aquilaria yunnanensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Aquilaria yunnanensis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Malvales. Ultimately, it is classified under the family Thymelaeaceae and the genus Aquilaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found in specific regions of East Asia. Its natural habitat is concentrated within the territory of China. Specifically, it is located throughout the South-Central part of the country. This localized range indicates that the species thrives under particular environmental conditions found in these provinces. Consequently, its geographical footprint remains relatively restricted to this particular area.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aquilaria yunnanensis is characterized by a highly specific altitudinal distribution within its native habitat. This species thrives within a precise elevational range, centered at a mean altitude of 1200 m AMSL. The ecological niche of the plant is remarkably consistent, as its environmental requirements are met at a stable threshold where the minimum, mean, and maximum elevation values all converge at 1200 m AMSL. This narrow altitudinal stratification suggests that the plant is specialized to the specific climatic and edaphic conditions found at this particular height, likely dictated by precise temperature gradients and moisture availability inherent to this specific elevation.

Elevational range max:

1200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Aquilaria yunnanensis is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. Throughout its developmental stages, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains functional for photosynthesis year-round rather than shedding leaves seasonally. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and continuous leaf presence dictates its ecological strategy and physiological endurance within its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aquilaria yunnanensis is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree. It exhibits a significant vertical presence, with plant heights ranging from a minimum of 3 m to a maximum of 8 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 5.75 m. In terms of its structural habit, the plant can be described as a self-supporting climber, possessing the ability to function as a liana or vine while maintaining its own structural integrity.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height mean:

5.75 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological profile of Aquilaria yunnanensis is characterized by specific morphological dimensions and nutritional strategies. The foliage exhibits significant variability in size, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 7 cm to a maximum of 11 cm, maintaining an overall mean leaf length of 9 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width spans from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 4 cm. Regarding its metabolic and symbiotic capabilities, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, indicating that it relies on the soil environment for nitrogen uptake rather than through symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Leaf length max:

11 cm

Leaf length mean:

9 cm

Leaf length min:

7 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Aquilaria yunnanensis culminates in the development of its characteristic fruit, which displays a highly consistent morphology. The fruit is characterized by a uniform size distribution, where the length maintains a steady mean of 2.5 cm, with no deviation observed between its minimum and maximum measurements of 2.5 cm. Similarly, the width of the fruit is remarkably stable, maintaining a constant value of 1.7 cm across its minimum, mean, and maximum dimensions. This lack of variance in both length and width suggests a highly standardized fruiting structure essential to its reproductive cycle.

Fruit length max:

2.5 cm

Fruit width max:

1.7 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Aquilaria yunnanensis 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 stem.

Stem

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

Chemicals

Aquilaria yunnanensis has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-Episyringaresinol, (+)-Syringaresinol, (-)-Epicatechin, (-)-Epicatechin gallate, 3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC ACID.

(+)-Episyringaresinol

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

(+)-Syringaresinol

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

(-)-Epicatechin

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

(-)-Epicatechin gallate

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

3,4-DIHYDROXYBENZOIC ACID

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

5-Hydroxy-3',4',7-trimethoxyflavone

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

Barbatic acid

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

Ergosterol peroxide

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

Genkwanin

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

Lecanoric acid

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

Conditions

Aquilaria yunnanensis has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include asthma, cough.

Asthma

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

Cough

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

Preparations

Aquilaria yunnanensis has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include stem bark.

Stem bark

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