Cathay Quince

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Cathay Quince

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Chaenomeles lagenaria var. cathayensis
• Chaenomeles speciosa var. cathayensis
• Cydonia cathayensis
• Cydonia cathayensis var. wilsonii
• Pyrus cathayensis
• Chaenomeles speciosa var. wilsonii
• Chaenomeles lagenaria var. wilsonii
• Cydonia japonica var. cathayensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Rosales, falling into the family Rosaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Chaenomeles.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions within China. It can be found growing throughout the South-Central part of the country. Additionally, its presence extends into the North-Central territories of China. The species is also well-documented within the Southeast regions. Finally, its range reaches the high-altitude areas of Tibet.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Chaenomeles cathayensis is characterized by its specific distribution across montane habitats, where it thrives within a distinct altitudinal gradient. The species is primarily found in high-altitude environments, occupying an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 900 m AMSL. As the terrain ascends, the plant reaches a mean elevation of approximately 1700 m AMSL, indicating a preference for mid-to-high mountain ecosystems. The upper limits of its ecological niche extend significantly higher, with its maximum recorded elevation reaching up to 2500 m AMSL. This vertical distribution suggests that the plant is well-adapted to the varying temperature regimes and atmospheric conditions typical of these diverse elevational zones.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

900 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Chaenomeles cathayensis is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Throughout its developmental stages, the species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Chaenomeles cathayensis is characterized by a woody growth form, typically manifesting as a shrub. This plant exhibits a substantial vertical structure, with a height that varies significantly depending on environmental conditions, ranging from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 6 meters, with an average plant height of approximately 4 meters. In terms of its structural habit, it is classified as a self-supporting plant, maintaining its upright posture without the need for external climbing structures.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height max:

6 m

Plant height mean:

4 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological development of the foliage in Chaenomeles cathayensis is characterized by significant morphological variability in leaf dimensions, which plays a critical role in its photosynthetic capacity and environmental adaptation. The leaf length exhibits a broad range, with minimum measurements recorded at 5 cm, an average length of 8 cm, and a maximum extent reaching up to 11 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 2 cm and a maximum of 4 cm. This variation in surface area, dictated by the interplay between length and width, suggests a dynamic physiological response to light interception and transpiration requirements within its natural habitat.

Leaf length max:

11 cm

Leaf length mean:

8 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Chaenomeles cathayensis is characterized by the development of flowers and subsequent fruit production with specific morphological dimensions. The flowering stage involves blossoms that vary in size, with flower lengths ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 4 cm. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits that exhibit significant dimensional variability. The length of these fruits typically ranges from a minimum of 8 cm to a maximum of 12 cm, with an observed mean length of 10 cm. Similarly, the width of the fruit shows a consistent profile, measuring between a minimum of 6 cm and a maximum of 7 cm, maintaining an average width of approximately 6.5 cm.

Flower length max:

4 cm

Flower length min:

2 cm

Fruit length max:

12 cm

Fruit length mean:

10 cm

Fruit length min:

8 cm

Fruit width max:

7 cm

Fruit width mean:

6.5 cm

Fruit width min:

6 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Chaenomeles cathayensis has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Oxylipins, Terpenoids.

Flavonoids

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Oxylipins

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Terpenoids

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Activities

Chaenomeles cathayensis has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic.

Analgesic

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Conditions

Chaenomeles cathayensis has 8 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include arthritis, beriberi, cholera, dysentery, enteritis.

Arthritis

1. Food chemistry

Beriberi

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Cholera

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Dysentery

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Enteritis

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Metabolic diseases

1. Food chemistry

Rheumatism

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Scurvy

1. Archives of pharmacal research