Box-leaved Atalantia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Box-leaved Atalantia
• Chinese box-orange

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Severinia buxifolia
• Severinia monophylla
• Sclerostylis buxifolia
• Dumula sinensis
• Atalantia bilocularis
• Atalantia loureiroana
• Limonia bilocularis
• Sclerostylis atalantioides
• Helie atalantioides
• Citrus emarginata
• Citrus buxifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Atalantia buxifolia, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Sapindales. Finally, it is a member of the family Rutaceae and is categorized under the genus Atalantia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across various regions of East and Southeast Asia. In China, its presence is documented in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan provinces. The species also extends its range to the island of Taiwan within Eastern Asia. Additionally, the plant can be found in the Indo-China region, specifically in Laos. Together, these locations define its specific ecological footprint across the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Atalantia buxifolia is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle within a single year. Throughout its lifespan, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and present year-round rather than undergoing a seasonal shedding period.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Atalantia buxifolia is characterized by its woody structure and distinct growth habits. It typically manifests as a woody plant, exhibiting growth forms that range from a shrub to a small tree. On average, the plant reaches a height of approximately 2.5 m. In terms of its ecological positioning and habit, it is a terrestrial species rather than an epiphyte, and it functions as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height mean:

2.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Atalantia buxifolia is characterized by its metabolic and nutrient-acquisition strategies, specifically regarding carbon assimilation and nitrogen cycling. This plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it fixes carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle using the enzyme Rubisco, a process typical of most woody tropical and subtropical shrubs. Furthermore, Atalantia buxifolia is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium or Frankia, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and thus relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to satisfy its nutritional requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Atalantia buxifolia is characterized by a diverse array of dispersal mechanisms, primarily functioning through a zoochorous syndrome where animals play a key role in the movement of its seeds. However, its reproductive strategy is not limited to a single method, as it exhibits a versatile approach that includes anemochorous, autochorous, and hydrochorous processes, alongside an unspecialized dispersal pattern. This combination of traits allows the species to utilize wind, self-ejection, and water movement to spread its progeny, while animal interaction remains a significant driver in its ecological distribution.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Atalantia buxifolia has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, rhizome.

Root

1. Journal of natural products
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
3. Natural product research

Rhizome

1. Natural product research

Chemicals

Atalantia buxifolia has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 7-Isovaleroylcycloepiatalantin, 7-Isovaleroylcycloseverinolide, Acridone alkaloid.

7-Isovaleroylcycloepiatalantin

1. Journal of natural products

7-Isovaleroylcycloseverinolide

1. Journal of natural products

Acridone alkaloid

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Atalantia buxifolia has 2 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include root bark, dried root and rhizomes.

Root bark

1. Journal of natural products
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Dried root and rhizomes

1. Natural product research