Berchemia floribunda

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Berchemia magna
• Ziziphus floribunda
• Berchemia floribunda var. megalophylla
• Ziziphus poiretiana
• Oenoplea lineata
• Berchemia kunitakei
• Berchemia giraldiana
• Berchemia floribunda var. oblongifolia
• Berchemia fagifolia
• Berchemia magna var. pubescens
• Berchemia racemosa
• Berchemia racemosa f. pubescens
• Berchemia racemosa var. pilosa
• Berchemia racemosa var. laxurians
• Berchemia racemosa f. stenosperma
• Berchemia racemosa var. magna

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 in the order Rosales, falling into the family Rhamnaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Berchemia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse presence across several regions within East Asia. In China, its range extends through the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast territories. It can also be found growing within the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Furthermore, the species has a documented distribution reaching into Japan. Collectively, these areas highlight the wide geographical footprint of Berchemia floribunda.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Berchemia floribunda is characterized by its adaptation to specific altitudinal gradients within its natural habitat. This species thrives across a diverse vertical range, finding its presence in various montane environments. It typically occurs at elevations starting from a minimum of 1000 m AMSL, extending upward to a maximum altitude of 2600 m AMSL. On average, the plant is most commonly situated at a mean elevation of 1800 m AMSL, a positioning that suggests a preference for the climatic conditions and soil profiles typical of mid-to-high altitude ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2600 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1000 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Berchemia floribunda is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a perennial, the plant avoids the complete die-back seen in annuals, instead establishing a long-term presence through robust structural development that supports repeated reproductive cycles. This extended lifespan enables the plant to stabilize within its ecological niche, developing the necessary resource reserves to endure fluctuating environmental conditions and facilitate continuous growth and flowering throughout its existence.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Berchemia floribunda is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, exhibiting a robust and permanent structure. As a terrestrial species, it grows primarily in soil rather than as an epiphyte, establishing a stable presence in its native habitat. While many members of its genus may exhibit climbing tendencies, this species is specifically categorized by its shrubby habit and woody composition, distinguishing it from herbaceous or non-woody plants.

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Berchemia floribunda is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation strategies. The morphological aspects of its foliage play a critical role in its physiological efficiency, with leaf dimensions exhibiting notable variability. The leaves typically feature a mean length of 6.5 cm, ranging from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 9 cm, while the width fluctuates between a minimum of 2 cm and a maximum of 5 cm, maintaining a mean width of 3.5 cm. These structural variations in leaf size and surface area influence the plant's capacity for gas exchange and light interception within its ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

9 cm

Leaf length mean:

6.5 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width mean:

3.5 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Berchemia floribunda is characterized by the production of fleshy fruits that facilitate dispersal through a zoochorous syndrome, relying on animals to aid in the movement of its seeds. These fruits exhibit moderate size variations, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 1 cm, maintaining an average length of approximately 0.85 cm. Within these fleshy structures, the seeds vary significantly in size; they possess a minimum volume of 21 mm³ and can reach a maximum volume of 140 mm³, resulting in an average seed volume of 80.5 mm³.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.85 cm

Fruit length min:

0.7 cm

Seed volume max:

140 mm³

Seed volume mean:

80.5 mm³

Seed volume min:

21 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Berchemia floribunda 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 fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Leaf

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Berchemia floribunda has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-catechin, (-)-Epicatechin, Berchemolide, IL-6, JNK.

(+)-catechin

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

(-)-Epicatechin

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Berchemolide

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

IL-6

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

JNK

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

NO

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

P65

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

p38

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Berchemia floribunda has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)