Citrus cavaleriei

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant, known as Citrus cavaleriei, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of China. Its presence is notably documented within the South-Central part of the country. Additionally, the species can be found extending into the North-Central territories of China. The plant also occupies significant portions of the China Southeast region. Consequently, these three distinct areas define the primary geographical range of this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Citrus cavaleriei is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a long-term presence in its natural habitat. Throughout its lifespan, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and green year-round rather than undergoing a seasonal shedding period. This combination of a perennial lifecycle and evergreen deciduousness supports continuous vegetative activity and provides a stable physiological foundation for its ongoing development and medicinal potency.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Citrus cavaleriei is characterized by its stature as a woody shrub that exhibits a self-supporting growth habit. It typically reaches an average plant height of 4.5 m, forming a robust structure through its woody stems.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height mean:

4.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Citrus cavaleriei is characterized by complex metabolic pathways typical of the Rutaceae family, focusing on the synthesis and storage of secondary metabolites such as limonoids and essential oils within specialized secretory structures. Its photosynthetic processes drive the production of carbohydrates through the Calvin cycle, which are subsequently partitioned to support vegetative growth and reproductive development. Regarding its nutritional acquisition and symbiotic relationships, the plant does not engage in biological nitrogen fixation; it lacks the specialized root nodules and the symbiotic association with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. Consequently, its nitrogen assimilation is strictly dependent on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium ions from the soil via active transport mechanisms in the root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Citrus cavaleriei has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ichangin.

Ichangin

1. Dr. Duke