Coelogyne chinensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pholidota chinensis var. cylindracea
• Pleione corniculata
• Pholidota chinensis
• Coelogyne corniculata
• Pholidota corniculata
• Coelogyne pholas
• Pholidota annamensis
• Pholidota pholas

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Coelogyne chinensis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Asparagales. Finally, it is a member of the Orchidaceae family, falling under the genus Coelogyne.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across various regions of Asia. Within China, it can be found in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan provinces. Its range also extends into the high-altitude areas of Tibet. Additionally, the species is located within the East Himalaya region of the Indian Subcontinent. Together, these locations highlight the diverse habitats where the plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Coelogyne chinensis is defined by its preference for high-altitude montane environments, where it thrives within a specific altitudinal belt. This species is typically found inhabiting forest ecosystems at elevations ranging from a minimum of 1500 m AMSL to a maximum of 2100 m AMSL. Within this vertical range, the plant occupies specialized niches that provide the necessary humidity and temperature stability characteristic of mid-to-high elevation subtropical or tropical montane forests. Its distribution is closely tied to these specific elevational parameters, which dictate the environmental stressors and microclimatic conditions it encounters throughout its life cycle.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Coelogyne chinensis is characterized by its specialized existence as a lithophyte, a growth habit that allows it to colonize rocky substrates and crevices where organic matter is minimal. As a perennial member of its genus, it exhibits a slow-growing life cycle adapted to the niche environmental conditions of its habitat. Its developmental strategy relies on the establishment of robust, creeping rhizomes that anchor the plant firmly to stone surfaces, enabling it to navigate the uneven topography of its rocky environment. The plant manages resource scarcity through specialized physiological adaptations typical of lithophytic species, often incorporating succulent-like qualities to store moisture derived from dew, rainfall, or high humidity. Its reproductive cycle involves the production of specialized inflorescences that emerge from the rhizomatous base, eventually leading to the dispersal of microscopic, wind-borne seeds designed to find new crevices in distant rock faces. This life history emphasizes resilience and specialized niche occupation, allowing the species to thrive in microclimates where more traditional terrestrial plants would struggle to find sufficient soil.

Life form :

lithophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Coelogyne chinensis is characterized by its specialized growth habits and structural composition. It functions as a self-supporting climber, utilizing its physical structure to maintain position without heavy reliance on external hosts. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, maintaining its own metabolic processes. The plant demonstrates a facultative epiphytic nature, meaning it has the capacity to grow upon other plants or trees for support while retaining the ability to thrive in other ecological niches. Structurally, the plant is non-woody, lacking the rigid, lignified tissues found in many larger shrubs or trees, which allows for its characteristic flexibility and growth pattern.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

facultative

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Coelogyne chinensis has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2,3'-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxydihydrostilbene, 2-hydroxy-5-methoxy-3,4,3',4'-dimethylenedioxydihydrostilbene, Gastrodin, Pholidotol A, Pholidotol B.

2,3'-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxydihydrostilbene

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

2-hydroxy-5-methoxy-3,4,3',4'-dimethylenedioxydihydrostilbene

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Gastrodin

1. Frontiers in plant science

Pholidotol A

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Pholidotol B

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin