Ardisia hanceana

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ardisia incarnata
• Ardisia miniata
• Ardisia elegantissima
• Ardisia thorelii
• Ardisia thorelii var. latifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further organized under the order Ericales and the family Primulaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Ardisia, with its specific species being Ardisia hanceana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across parts of Southeast Asia. In the region of China, it can be found throughout the southeastern territories. Its range extends into the Indo-China peninsula as well. Specifically, it is documented to grow within the country of Laos. Additionally, the species is known to inhabit various areas of Vietnam.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ardisia hanceanas is defined by its specific vertical distribution within montane ecosystems, occupying a broad altitudinal gradient. The species thrives across a diverse range of elevations, starting from a minimum altitude of 430 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 1500 m AMSL. Within this ecological niche, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 965 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-elevation forest environments where it can adapt to the varying climatic conditions found between the lower foothills and higher montane zones.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

965 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

430 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Ardisia hanceanas is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain a stable presence within its ecological niche. As an evergreen species, it retains its foliage throughout the year, providing continuous photosynthetic activity and maintaining a consistent green canopy regardless of seasonal shifts.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ardisia hanceana is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub. This plant displays a significant range in stature, with heights varying from a minimum of 0.8 m to a maximum of 6 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 3.4 m. In terms of its structural habit, the species is classified as a self-supporting plant, lacking the climbing mechanisms found in obligatory or facultative climbers.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height max:

6 m

Plant height mean:

3.4 m

Plant height min:

0.8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ardisia hanceana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a metabolic process typical of plants inhabiting temperate or shaded environments where carbon fixation occurs primarily during daylight hours without specialized water-conserving mechanisms like CAM or C4. The vegetative morphology is defined by elliptic-shaped leaves that exhibit a crenate margin, lacking both thorns and spines. The leaf dimensions vary significantly, with a minimum length of 10 cm and a maximum of 17 cm, resulting in a mean leaf length of 13.5 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width ranges from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 3.5 cm, facilitating a specialized surface area for gas exchange and light absorption within its ecological niche.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

17 cm

Leaf length mean:

13.5 cm

Leaf length min:

10 cm

Leaf margin :

crenate

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

3.5 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ardisia hanceana has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+/-)-Catechin, Flavonoids, Gallic acid.

(+/-)-Catechin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gallic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Ardisia hanceana has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include rheumatic diseases, rheumatism, tuberculosis.

Most Reported Uses