Aster poliothamnus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sinobouffordia poliothamnus
• Aster ramsbottomii

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae and is identified by the genus Aster.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse distribution across several key regions in China. It can be found growing throughout the South-Central parts of the country. Additionally, its presence extends into the North-Central regions of China. The species is also documented within the high-altitude landscapes of Qinghai. Finally, its geographical range includes the vast territory of Tibet.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aster poliothamnus is characterized by its distribution across specific montane altitudinal gradients, where it thrives within a well-defined vertical niche. This species is predominantly found in high-altitude environments, occupying an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 1800 m AMSL. As the terrain ascends, the plant maintains a presence throughout the subalpine zones, reaching a maximum elevation of 3300 m AMSL. The ecological preference of the species is centered around a mean elevation of 2550 m AMSL, suggesting that its optimal growth conditions, physiological tolerances, and reproductive success are most finely tuned to these mid-to-high altitude climatic regimes.

Elevational range max:

3300 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2550 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1800 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Aster poliothamnus is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, meaning it possesses the biological capacity to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. As a perennial species, it undergoes recurring cycles of vegetative growth and seasonal dormancy, allowing it to establish a more robust presence within its ecological niche over time. This enduring lifecycle enables the plant to accumulate resources across successive years, contributing to its long-term survival and ability to withstand varying environmental fluctuations.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aster poliothamnus is characterized by a shrubby growth form, manifesting as a woody plant that is primarily self-supporting rather than acting as a climber. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a relatively low profile, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.4 m to a maximum of 1 m, reaching a mean height of approximately 0.7 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.7 m

Plant height min:

0.4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological profile of the foliage in Aster poliothamnus is characterized by highly specialized, narrow leaf dimensions that reflect its adaptive growth patterns. The leaf length exhibits significant variability, ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 2 cm, with an observed mean length of 1.5 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation is a narrow width profile, where the leaves maintain a minimum width of 0.2 cm and do not exceed a maximum width of 0.5 cm. These morphological constraints suggest a compact physiological structure optimized for its specific environmental niche.

Leaf length max:

2 cm

Leaf length mean:

1.5 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

0.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.2 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Aster poliothamnus is characterized by the production of small, specialized fruits that play a critical role in its life cycle. These fruits exhibit specific morphological dimensions, with measured lengths typically ranging from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.25 cm. Across various observations, the fruit length maintains a mean value of approximately 0.225 cm, indicating a highly consistent size distribution during the reproductive phase.

Fruit length max:

0.25 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.225 cm

Fruit length min:

0.2 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Aster poliothamnus has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include -Spinasterol, BETA-SITOSTEROL, CATALASE, CHYMOTRYPSIN, Daucosterol.

-Spinasterol

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

BETA-SITOSTEROL

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

CATALASE

1. Scientific reports

CHYMOTRYPSIN

1. Scientific reports

Daucosterol

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

Peroxidase

1. Scientific reports

STIGMASTEROL

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

Superoxide dismutase

1. Scientific reports

Trypsin inhibitor

1. Scientific reports

beta-Amyrin

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