Chinese apes-earring

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese apes-earring

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pithecellobium lucidum
• Albizia championii
• Abarema lucida
• Feuilleea championii

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 Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae and the genus Archidendroon. Specifically, it is identified by the species name Archidendroon lucidum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed throughout various regions of East Asia. In China, its presence is noted in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan provinces. The species also extends its range to the island of Taiwan. Furthermore, it can be found within the Nansei-shoto islands of Eastern Asia. Collectively, these locations define the specific geographical footprint of Archidendron lucidum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Archidendron lucidum is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a growth form where the stem or woody parts are elevated well above the ground surface to protect the perennating buds. Within this classification, it displays characteristics of both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, indicating a perennial woody structure that maintains its reproductive potential through elevated, visible buds. As a long-lived woody plant, its life cycle involves the development of a robust structural framework that allows it to persist through various seasonal changes, utilizing its elevated architecture to optimize light interception and reproductive success.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Archidenron lucidum is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a tree. Although it possesses climbing characteristics, it functions as a self-supporting liana or vine rather than an obligatory climber, exhibiting a facultative nature in its climbing habit. In terms of its ecological positioning, the plant is strictly terrestrial, lacking any epiphytic qualities such as hemiepiphytic or holoepiphytic tendencies.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Archidendron lucidum is characterized by a metabolic framework centered around the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a process where carbon dioxide is fixed directly into a three-carbon compound during the Calvin cycle. This metabolic strategy dictates the plant's gas exchange patterns and water-use efficiency, as it relies on the enzyme RuBisCO to facilitate carbon fixation under ambient conditions. As a C3 plant, its physiological performance is closely linked to environmental variables such as light intensity, temperature, and moisture availability, which influence the rate of transpiration and the efficiency of photosynthetic assimilation. The regulation of its stomatal conductance plays a critical role in balancing the intake of CO2 required for biomass production against the loss of water vapor, defining its adaptive capacity within its specific ecological niche.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Archidendron lucidum has 1 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.

Root

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

Chemicals

Archidendron lucidum has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-catechin, (-)-Gallocatechin gallate, ETHYL GALLATE, Julibroside A2, Saponins.

(+)-catechin

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

(-)-Gallocatechin gallate

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

ETHYL GALLATE

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

Julibroside A2

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

Saponins

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Archidendron lucidum has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include roots.

Roots

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