Coptis deltoidea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Ranunculales and the family Ranunculaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its membership in the genus Coptis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found within the specific ecological zones of China. Its geographical presence is concentrated in the South-Central region of the country. Within this area, it thrives in habitats that support its unique medicinal properties. Because its range is localized, it is considered an endemic species of this particular territory. Understanding this distribution is essential for the conservation and study of the species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Coptis deltoidea is defined by its specific distribution within high-altitude montane environments, where it occupies a distinct vertical niche. This species is primarily found in alpine or subalpine zones, characterized by an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 1600 m AMSL. As the terrain ascends, the plant's presence extends through various topographical gradients, reaching a maximum elevation of 2200 m AMSL. The ecological center of gravity for the species, representing its most frequent occurrence within its habitat, is situated at a mean elevation of 1900 m AMSL. This specific altitudinal belt suggests that the plant is adapted to the unique climatic conditions, soil compositions, and moisture levels characteristic of these mid-to-high mountain ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1600 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Coptis deltiodea is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years and undergoes repeated seasonal growth cycles. As a perennial species, it establishes a stable presence within its habitat, typically utilizing underground structures like rhizomes to survive periods of dormancy and regrow during favorable growing seasons. This perennial nature allows the plant to invest energy into long-term survival and structural development rather than completing its entire reproductive cycle within a single year. Throughout its lifespan, it undergoes rhythmic phases of vegetative expansion and reproductive flowering, ensuring its continued persistence and ability to contribute to the local population over multiple successive seasons.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Coptis deltoidea is characterized by its growth form as a herb, specifically categorized as a non-woodiness herb. Structurally, it functions as a self-supporting plant, lacking the climbing mechanisms associated with obligatory or facultative climbers.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Coptis deltiodea is centered around the development and maturation of its fruit, which serves as the primary vehicle for seed dispersal. The morphological characteristics of the fruit are quite specific, exhibiting a consistent size range within its population. On average, the fruit maintains a mean length of 0.65 cm. However, there is measurable variation in size, with individual fruits ranging from a minimum length of 0.6 cm to a maximum length of 0.7 cm. This controlled variation in fruit dimensions is a critical component of the plant's reproductive strategy, ensuring the successful containment and eventual distribution of seeds to facilitate the next generation.

Fruit length max:

0.7 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.65 cm

Fruit length min:

0.6 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Coptis deltoidea has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Jatrorrhizine, Coptisine, Palmatine, berberine, Columbamine.

Jatrorrhizine

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Pharmaceutical biology
3. Frontiers in pharmacology

Coptisine

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

Palmatine

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

berberine

1. Talanta
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Columbamine

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Epiberberine

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Magnoflorine

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

sucrose

1. Planta medica

tyrosine

1. Plant molecular biology

Activities

Coptis deltoidea has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Conditions

Coptis deltoidea has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, obesity.

Diabetes mellitus

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Hyperglycemia

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Hyperlipidemia

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Obesity

1. Frontiers in pharmacology