Breynia rostrata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is positioned in the order Malpighiales and the family Phyllanthaceae. Finally, it is identified under the genus Breynia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range that spans across parts of East and Southeast Asia. Within China, its distribution includes the South-Central regions as well as the Southeast provinces. It is also documented to grow on the tropical island of Hainan. Beyond Chinese borders, the species extends its reach into the Indo-China peninsula. Specifically, its presence is noted within the country of Vietnam.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Breynia rostrata is defined by its specific altitudinal distribution within its native habitat, occupying a broad vertical gradient in the landscape. This species is found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 150 m AMSL to a maximum of 1500 m AMSL, allowing it to inhabit diverse ecological zones from lower foothills to higher montane regions. On average, the plant thrives at a mean elevation of 825 m AMSL, a positioning that suggests an adaptation to the specific temperature, moisture, and atmospheric conditions characteristic of mid-elevation subtropical or tropical forest ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

825 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

150 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Breynia rostrata is characterized by its structural classification as a phanerophyte, a life form defined by having its perennating buds located high above the ground on woody stems. Within the broader spectrum of plant growth habits, it functions as a phanerophyte rather than as a nanophanerophyte, chamaephyte, hemicryptophyte, geophyte, hydrophyte, helophyte, therophyte, lithophyte, or cryptophyte, ensuring its survival through seasonal changes by maintaining its regenerative tissues at an elevated position. This growth strategy allows the plant to establish a stable, perennial presence within its ecological niche, utilizing its elevated stem structure to optimize light interception and reproductive success.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Breynia rostrata is characterized by its woody structure and a growth habit that is classified as self-supporting. As a terrestrial plant, it functions independently and does not exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behavior. In terms of stature, the species demonstrates significant vertical development, with plant heights typically ranging from a minimum of 4 m to a maximum of 10 m, reaching an average height of approximately 7 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

7 m

Plant height min:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of the foliage in Breynia rostrata is characterized by specific morphological dimensions that define its photosynthetic surface area and structural development. The leaves exhibit a notable range in longitudinal growth, with a mean leaf length of 5 cm, though individual measurements can vary from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 7 cm. Complementing this length is a variable width profile, where the leaves typically maintain a mean width of 2.25 cm. The lateral expansion of the blades is constrained within a specific physiological range, fluctuating between a minimum width of 1.5 cm and a maximum width of 3 cm. These precise dimensional parameters reflect the plant's adaptive leaf architecture, balancing surface area for light interception with the structural constraints required for its specific environmental niche.

Leaf length max:

7 cm

Leaf length mean:

5 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width mean:

2.25 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Reproduction

Reproduction in Breynia rostrata is primarily facilitated through the development of small, fleshy fruits that serve as the vessel for seed dispersal. These fruits exhibit specific morphological dimensions regarding their width, characterized by a narrow range of variation. The fruit width typically measures a minimum of 0.6 cm, with a mean width of 0.65 cm, and can reach a maximum width of 0.7 cm. This consistent sizing suggests a standardized development process within the species, ensuring the structural integrity of the fruit during the reproductive cycle.

Fruit width max:

0.7 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.65 cm

Fruit width min:

0.6 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Breynia rostrata has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1-O-Galloyl beta-D-glucopyranoside, arbutin.

1-O-Galloyl beta-D-glucopyranoside

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

arbutin

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica