Astragalus acaulis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tragacantha acaulis
• Astragalus litangensis
• Astragalus pseudoxytropis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, specifically being a member of the Fabaceae family. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Astragalus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several mountainous regions in Asia. Within the country of China, it can be found growing in the South-Central areas. Additionally, its range extends into the high-altitude terrains of Tibet. Beyond China, the species is also documented within the Indian Subcontinent. Specifically, it inhabits the rugged landscapes of the East Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Astragalus acaulis is characterized by its specialized occupation of high-altitude alpine environments, where it thrives within a very specific vertical niche. This species is restricted to extreme montane or subnival zones, maintaining a highly constrained elevational range that fluctuates between a minimum of 3,900 m AMSL and a maximum of 4,300 m AMSL. Such an elevational profile suggests an adaptation to harsh, high-mountain ecosystems defined by intense solar radiation, thin atmospheric pressure, and significant temperature fluctuations. Occupying this narrow belt above 3,900 meters implies that the plant is adapted to short growing seasons and potentially nutrient-poor, rocky substrates typical of alpine tundra or scree slopes, where it must withstand the physiological stresses associated with high-altitude life.

Elevational range max:

4300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

3900 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Astragalus acaulis is characterized by its growth form as a herb, exhibiting a non-woody structure throughout its vegetative parts. As a terrestrial species, it grows directly in the soil rather than as an epiphyte. Regarding its climbing habit, the plant is categorized as self-supporting, meaning it does not rely on external structures through obligatory or facultative climbing mechanisms to maintain its upright or spreading posture.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Astragalus acaulis has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 6-epi-Ophiobolin G, Penicisochroman A, Questin, Trypacidin, pergillin.

6-epi-Ophiobolin G

1. Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)

Penicisochroman A

1. Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)

Questin

1. Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)

Trypacidin

1. Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)

pergillin

1. Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)