Astilbe chinensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Astilbe rubra f. albiflora
• Astilbe chinensis f. albiflora
• Astilbe chinensis var. seoulensis
• Hoteia chinensis
• Astilbe chinensis var. davidi
• Astilbe davidi

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Saxifragales, it is classified under the family Saxifragaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is placed within the genus Astilbe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning across several major regions of Eurasia. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented within the territory of Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is found growing in Austria. The range extends further into Eastern Europe, specifically throughout Central European Russia. Finally, the plant reaches the Russian Far East, appearing in both the Amur and Khabarovsk regions.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Astilbe chinensis is defined by its preference for specific high-altitude environments, typically thriving within an elevational range of 2000 to 3000 m AMSL. It is predominantly found inhabiting shaded and semi-shaded landscapes, specifically within forests, along forest edges, and throughout shrubberies. These habitats provide the necessary moisture-retentive and sheltered conditions required for its growth, allowing it to integrate into the understory and transitional zones of montane ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2000 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, forest edges, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Astilbe chinensis is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, meaning it completes its life cycle over multiple years by persisting through successive growing seasons. Architecturally, the species functions as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or organic debris during unfavorable conditions. This survival strategy allows the plant to re-emerge from its underground structures annually, ensuring long-term establishment in its natural habitat.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Astilbe chinensis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or liana, maintaining an independent existence as it is neither a parasite nor an epiphyte, instead occupying a terrestrial habitat. The plant reaches a maximum height of approximately 1 meter, exhibiting a structure typical of herbaceous perennials found in moist environments.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Astilbe chinensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency in temperate environments. The plant's vegetative structure features cordate leaf forms, which provide a broad surface area for light interception. These leaves are defined by a distinct toothed leaf margin, contributing to the complex architecture of the foliage. In terms of structural defenses and surface anatomy, the plant does not possess leaf thorns, yet it is characterized by the presence of leaf spines.

Leaf form :

cordate

Leaf margin :

toothed

Leaf spines :

yes

Leaf thorns :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Astilbe chinensis is primarily driven by the production of specialized seeds that exhibit significant variation in individual weight. The seed mass within a population is characterized by a mean value of 0.000125 g, indicating a generally minute size for its reproductive units. However, there is a notable range of variability among the seeds, with the maximum recorded seed mass reaching 0.00024 g, while the minimum mass is as low as 0.00001 g (1e-05 g). This distribution of seed mass suggests a strategy that allows for both larger, potentially more nutrient-dense seeds and much smaller, lighter seeds that may facilitate different dispersal dynamics within its habitat.

Seed mass max:

0.00024 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000125 g

Seed mass min:

1e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Astilbe chinensis has 2 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome, leaf.

Rhizome

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Journal of Asian natural products research
3. Journal of natural products
4. Acta crystallographica. Section C, Crystal structure communications

Leaf

1. Functional plant biology : FPB

Chemicals

Astilbe chinensis has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 11-o-Galloylbergenin, 3beta,6beta-dihydroxyolean-12-en-27-oic acid, 4-o-Galloylbergenin, CATECHIN, Eudesma-5,7-diene.

11-o-Galloylbergenin

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

3beta,6beta-dihydroxyolean-12-en-27-oic acid

1. Acta crystallographica. Section C, Crystal structure communications

4-o-Galloylbergenin

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

CATECHIN

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

Eudesma-5,7-diene

1. Nature communications

Hydrolyzable Tannins

1. Functional plant biology : FPB

Proanthocyanidins

1. Functional plant biology : FPB

bergenin

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

triterpenoids

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Astilbe chinensis has 1 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Cytotoxic

1. Acta crystallographica. Section C, Crystal structure communications

Conditions

Astilbe chinensis has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, chronic bronchitis, headache, inflammation.

Cancer

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Chronic bronchitis

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Headache

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Inflammation

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Preparations

Astilbe chinensis has 2 reported preparations identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include rhizome, extracts.

Rhizome

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

Extracts

1. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR