Tall False-Buck's-Beard

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Tall False-Buck's-Beard

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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, the order Saxifragales, and the family Saxifragaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Astilbe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution that spans across several distinct regions. In Europe, its presence is noted specifically within Great Britain. The species also has a significant reach across various parts of China, including the South-Central and Southeast territories. Furthermore, it can be found throughout North-Central China and the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Together, these locations illustrate the broad range inhabited by Astilbe rivularis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Astilbe rivularis is characterized by its occupation of diverse montane environments, where it thrives within a specific altitudinal gradient. This species is primarily distributed across high-altitude landscapes, maintaining an elevational range that begins at 1240 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 3600 m AMSL. Such a wide vertical distribution suggests an ability to adapt to varying levels of atmospheric pressure, temperature fluctuations, and ultraviolet exposure typical of mountainous terrains. Within these elevations, the plant's presence is often dictated by the availability of moisture and specific soil compositions found in these high-altitude niches.

Elevational range max:

3600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1240 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Astilbe rivularis is characterized by its classification as a perennial, meaning it undergoes a continuous life cycle that persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a perennial, the plant establishes a robust root system that allows it to enter periods of dormancy during unfavorable environmental conditions, such as winter, only to emerge and regrow once favorable temperatures and moisture levels return. This perennial nature enables the plant to invest energy into long-term structural development, supporting the repeated expansion of its foliage and the seasonal production of its flowering stalks over several years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Astilbe rivularis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, manifesting as a perennial forb that remains self-supporting without the need for climbing structures. It lacks any climbing tendencies, such as liana or vine characteristics, and instead functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. Regarding its ecological niche and habit, the plant is primarily terrestrial, though it can occupy semiaquatic environments, spanning a range from purely terrestrial to semiaquatic habitats. As a non-woody species, it does not develop significant woody tissues, maintaining a soft, herbaceous structure throughout its lifecycle.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Astilbe rivularis is characterized by a specific flowering window and distinct seed morphology. The flowering period for this species typically begins in June and continues through October, providing a sustained reproductive phase throughout the summer and early autumn months. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds that exhibit a relatively small mass, with a recorded mean seed mass of 2.5e-05 g. The individual seed weight varies within a specific range, reaching a minimum of 1e-05 g and a maximum of 4e-05 g, which influences the dispersal and establishment patterns of the next generation.

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Oct

Seed mass max:

4e-05 g

Seed mass mean:

2.5e-05 g

Seed mass min:

1e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Astilbe rivularis has 2 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 leaf, rhizome.

Leaf

1. Letters in applied microbiology

Rhizome

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Chemicals

Astilbe rivularis has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Phenols, BETA-SITOSTEROL, Compound 1, Compound 2.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Phenols

1. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Compound 1

1. Journal of natural products

Compound 2

1. Journal of natural products

Heptafluorobutyric acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hexadecanoic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Saponins

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Tannins

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Terpenoids

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Activities

Astilbe rivularis has 5 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Cytotoxic.

Antioxidant

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antibacterial

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Anticancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antidiabetic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Conditions

Astilbe rivularis has 8 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include bacterial infections, bone fracture, diabetic neuropathy, jaundice, mechanical hyperalgesia.

Bacterial infections

1. Letters in applied microbiology

Bone fracture

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diabetic neuropathy

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Jaundice

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Mechanical hyperalgesia

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Oxidative stress

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Peptic ulcer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Sprains

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Astilbe rivularis has 7 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Extracts, Methanolic extracts, Rhizome methanolic extract, hydroethanolic extract of Astilbe rivularis, hydroethanolic extract of Astilbe rivularis (ARHE).

Extracts

1. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan

Methanolic extracts

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Rhizome methanolic extract

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Hydroethanolic extract of astilbe rivularis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hydroethanolic extract of astilbe rivularis (arhe)

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaf extract

1. Letters in applied microbiology

Methanolic extract of rhizome

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine