Heart-leaved Lily

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Heart-leaved Lily

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hemerocallis cordifolia
• Lilium cordatum
• Saussurea cordifolia
• Lilium cordatum f. glehnii
• Lilium cordatum var. glehnii
• Cardiocrinum cordatum f. sordidum
• Lilium glehnii
• Lilium cordifolium
• Hemerocallis cordata
• Cardiocrinum cordatum var. glehnii
• Cardiocrinum glehnii

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. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Liliales, it is further categorized into the family Liliaceae. Ultimately, its scientific classification is defined by the genus Cardiocrinum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide-ranging geographical distribution that spans across several distinct regions. In the Russian Far East, it can be found inhabiting the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin. Its presence extends further into Eastern Asia, specifically within the islands of Japan. Remarkably, the species also reaches into the Southeastern United States, with documented sightings in Maryland. This diverse range demonstrates the plant's ability to adapt to varied environments across different continents.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cardiocrinum cordatum is characterized by its preference for specific microenvironments, most notably within shrubberies where it can find the necessary balance of light and protection. These shrubby habitats provide a filtered sunlight environment and a layer of organic litter that helps maintain the moisture levels required for its growth. Within these ecosystems, the plant occupies niches that offer protection from extreme environmental stressors, utilizing the structural complexity of the surrounding vegetation to thrive.

Habitat :

shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Cardiocrinum cordatum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a cryptophyte, its regenerative organs are protected beneath the soil surface, a strategy that ensures survival during unfavorable environmental conditions. More specifically, it functions as a geophyte, utilizing specialized underground storage organs to sustain itself and facilitate regrowth.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cardiocrinum cordatum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This plant is independent in its nutritional requirements, functioning as a non-parasitic and terrestrial organism rather than an epiphyte. It is a self-supporting herb, lacking any climbing or vining tendencies, and exhibits a growth habit that can range from semi-aquatic to terrestrial environments. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a relatively low profile, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.6 m to a maximum of 1.2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height min:

0.6 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cardiocrinum cordatum is characterized by a specialized metabolic framework centered around a C3 photosynthetic pathway. As a C3 plant, its carbon fixation process occurs via the Calvin cycle, where the enzyme RuBisCO directly incorporates atmospheric carbon dioxide into a three-carbon molecule, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate. This metabolic strategy is typical of many monocotyledonous herbs adapted to temperate or subtropical environments where moisture availability allows for standard photorespiration-prone carbon fixation. Beyond its photosynthetic mechanism, the plant exhibits physiological adaptations suited to its bulbous life cycle, allowing it to manage nutrient storage and seasonal dormancy. The efficiency of its energy production is intrinsically linked to its C3 pathway, which dictates its resource allocation, transpiration rates, and overall growth patterns in response to light intensity and ambient temperature.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cardiocrinum cordatum is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and the production of minute seeds. The flowering period is concentrated in the month of August, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. Following pollination, the plant produces seeds with a very small mass, exhibiting a mean seed mass of approximately 0.00331 g. The weight of these seeds shows slight variation, with a recorded minimum mass of 0.00308 g and a maximum mass reaching 0.00354 g.

Flowering time :

Aug

Seed mass max:

0.00354 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00331 g

Seed mass min:

0.00308 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cardiocrinum cordatum has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-Deoxyadenosine, Caffeic acid methyl ester, Esculetin, Isoferulic acid, SYRINGIC ACID.

2-Deoxyadenosine

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Caffeic acid methyl ester

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Esculetin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Isoferulic acid

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

SYRINGIC ACID

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

TAXIFOLIN

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

adenine

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

adenosine

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

caffeic acid

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

ferulic acid

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Cardiocrinum cordatum has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antihypertensive.

Antihypertensive

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)