Blumea aromatica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Blumea leptophylla
• Placus aromaticus
• Blumea emeiensis
• Blumea aromatica var. nesogenes
• Gynura taiwanensis
• Conyza setschwanica
• Erigeron cochinchinensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Blumea aromatica, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. It is further distinguished by its placement within the genus Blumea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be found specifically throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its presence extends to Eastern Asia, where it is notably distributed in Taiwan. Within the Indian Subcontinent, the species is documented in the Assam region. Additionally, the plant is found inhabiting the areas of the East Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Blumea aromatica is characterized by its ability to thrive within specific altitudinal gradients, typically inhabiting montane and sub-montane environments. It is most commonly found across an elevational range that begins at 900 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL. Within these elevations, the plant occupies various ecological niches, often favoring moist, well-drained soils and areas with moderate sunlight, which are characteristic of the mid-to-high altitude tropical and subtropical forest zones. Its distribution within this specific vertical range allows it to adapt to the varying temperature regimes and moisture availability found across these different mountain levels.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

900 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Blumea aromatica is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy and life form, it is classified as a chamaephyte, indicating that its regenerative buds are located near or just above the soil surface. This specific life form positioning contributes to its resilience and ability to maintain its presence within its natural habitat over an extended lifespan.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Blumea aromatica is characterized by its growth form as a herb, manifesting as both a general herb and specifically as a forb. It functions as a terrestrial plant, growing in soil rather than as an epiphyte. In terms of its structural habit, it is not a climber, maintaining a self-supporting posture without the need for external support. The woodiness of the plant is classified as variable, reflecting its botanical structure.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

variable

Physiology

The physiological development of Blumea aromatica is characterized by distinct morphological dimensions within its foliage, which facilitate its metabolic and photosynthetic processes. The leaves exhibit a consistent structural range, typically maintaining a mean length of 21 cm, though they can reach a maximum length of up to 22 cm, with a minimum recorded length of 20 cm. This longitudinal variation is accompanied by specific lateral growth patterns, where the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 6 cm and a maximum of 8 cm, settling at a mean width of 7 cm. These precise dimensional parameters contribute to the overall surface area available for gas exchange and light absorption, supporting the plant's vital physiological functions.

Leaf length max:

22 cm

Leaf length mean:

21 cm

Leaf length min:

20 cm

Leaf width max:

8 cm

Leaf width mean:

7 cm

Leaf width min:

6 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Blumea aromatica is characterized by the production of small, specialized fruit structures that facilitate the continuation of the species. These fruits exhibit a highly consistent morphology, as evidenced by their uniform dimensions. Specifically, the fruit length remains constant across all observed specimens, with a minimum length of 0.1 cm, a mean length of 0.1 cm, and a maximum length of 0.1 cm. This lack of variance in fruit size suggests a highly standardized development process during the reproductive cycle, ensuring that the dispersal units are uniform in their physical characteristics.

Fruit length max:

0.1 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Blumea aromatica has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ERIODICTYOL, Kaempherol, Luteolin 3',4',7-trimethyl ether, Luteolin 7,3'-dimethyl ether, Rubiadin.

ERIODICTYOL

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Kaempherol

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Luteolin 3',4',7-trimethyl ether

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Luteolin 7,3'-dimethyl ether

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Rubiadin

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Xanthoxylin

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

dibutyl phthalate

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Conditions

Blumea aromatica has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include asthma, eczema, glaucoma, heart failure, hypertension.

Asthma

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Eczema

1. Phytochemistry

Glaucoma

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Heart failure

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Hypertension

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Pruritus

1. Phytochemistry

Rheumatoid arthritis

1. Phytochemistry

Preparations

Blumea aromatica has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 80% alcohol extract, ethyl acetate extract, whole B. aromatica herb.

80% alcohol extract

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Ethyl acetate extract

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Whole b. aromatica herb

1. Phytochemistry