Carpesium macrocephalum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Carpesium eximium

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales, it is further classified under the family Asteraceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Carpesium, specifically as Carpesium macrocephalum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions of East Asia. In the Russian Far East, its presence is specifically noted within the Primorye territory. Moving into China, the species can be found spanning from the Manchuria region to the Southeast. Additionally, it inhabits the North-Central areas of the country. Finally, its range extends into the South-Central provinces of China.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Carpesium macrocephalum is characterized by its specialized niche within forest ecosystems, where it thrives under the complex structural conditions provided by dense canopy cover. As a forest-dwelling species, it relies on the moderated microclimate of these environments, benefiting from the buffered temperature ranges, higher humidity levels, and filtered light patterns typical of woodland settings. The presence of organic leaf litter and the nutrient-rich soil profiles inherent to forest floors provide the essential substrate required for its development and long-term persistence. This habitat dependency suggests that the plant is intricately linked to the stability of forest biomes, utilizing the shade and moisture retention provided by the surrounding vegetation to support its physiological processes and life cycle.

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Carpesium macrocephalum is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, meaning the plant persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. As a perennial species, it maintains its vegetative structures over an extended period, allowing it to establish a robust presence within its ecological niche. This long-term survival strategy enables the plant to undergo repeated cycles of growth, flowering, and seed production, often accumulating more resources and resilience with each passing year compared to annual or biennial counterparts.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Carpesium macrocephalum is characterized by its herbaceous growth form, appearing as a non-woody herb. The plant exhibits a relatively modest stature, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 1.2 m. In terms of its structural habit, it functions as a self-supporting climber, maintaining its upright or spreading posture without the necessity of external structures for support.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological development of Carpesium macrocephalum is characterized by robust foliar expansion, where the leaf morphology plays a critical role in its metabolic efficiency. The leaves exhibit a significant range of dimensions, with an average leaf length of 17.5 cm, fluctuating between a minimum of 15 cm and a maximum of 20 cm. This longitudinal growth is complemented by a substantial lateral expansion, as evidenced by a mean leaf width of 12.5 cm, which varies from a minimum of 10 cm to a maximum width of 15 cm. These specific morphological parameters suggest a highly optimized surface area for photosynthetic activity, allowing the plant to maximize light interception and gas exchange through its broad, structurally diverse foliage.

Leaf length max:

20 cm

Leaf length mean:

17.5 cm

Leaf length min:

15 cm

Leaf width max:

15 cm

Leaf width mean:

12.5 cm

Leaf width min:

10 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Carpesium macrocephalum is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle and the development of small-scale fruit structures. The flowering period typically commences in July and continues through until September, marking a defined window for pollination and subsequent fruit set. Following the flowering stage, the plant produces fruits that exhibit a very compact size profile; these fruits maintain a minimum length of 0.5 cm, reach a mean length of 0.55 cm, and can extend to a maximum length of 0.6 cm.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length max:

0.6 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.55 cm

Fruit length min:

0.5 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Carpesium macrocephalum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Carpesium macrocephalum has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4Beta,10Beta-Dihydroxy-5Alpha(H)-1,11(13)-Guaidien-8Alpha,12-Olide, 4alpha,10alpha-Dihydroxy-1beta(H),5beta(H)-guai-11(13)-en-8alpha,12-olide, Alantolactone, GUAIANOLIDE, Linalool.

4Beta,10Beta-Dihydroxy-5Alpha(H)-1,11(13)-Guaidien-8Alpha,12-Olide

1. Journal of natural products

4alpha,10alpha-Dihydroxy-1beta(H),5beta(H)-guai-11(13)-en-8alpha,12-olide

1. Journal of natural products

Alantolactone

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

GUAIANOLIDE

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

Linalool

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Neryl isobutyrate

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Sesquiterpenes

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

Thymol methyl ether

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

nerol

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Carpesium macrocephalum has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include candidiasis.

Candidiasis

1. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters

Preparations

Carpesium macrocephalum has 7 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include essential oil distilled from shoots, essential oil from the roots, essential oil obtained from the roots, essential oils distilled from roots and shoots, essential oils produced by the roots and aerial parts.

Essential oil distilled from shoots

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Essential oil from the roots

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Essential oil obtained from the roots

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Essential oils distilled from roots and shoots

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Essential oils produced by the roots and aerial parts

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Oil from roots

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Oil from the aerial parts

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)