Craibiodendron henryi

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Craibiodendron henryi var. bidoupense
• Craibiodendron mannii

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 Ericales, placing it in the family Ericaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Craibiodendron.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. Within China, it can be found specifically in the South-Central areas as well as the high-altitude terrains of Tibet. Its range extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it inhabits the state of Assam and the East Himalaya region. Furthermore, the species is documented to grow within the Indo-China territory, specifically in Myanmar. Together, these locations highlight the plant's presence across diverse mountainous and subtropical landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Craibiodendron henryi is defined by its specific distribution within montane environments, where it occupies a distinct altitudinal niche. This species is primarily found at mid-to-high elevations, exhibiting an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 1200 m AMSL. As the terrain ascends, the plant thrives across various topographical gradients, reaching a mean elevation of approximately 2000 m AMSL. The upper limits of its ecological tolerance are reached at a maximum elevation of 2800 m AMSL, marking the boundary of its preferred habitat within the mountain ecosystem.

Elevational range max:

2800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Craibiodendron henryi is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated stems or branches that remain above the ground level during unfavorable conditions, specifically categorizing it as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte in its structural development. This life strategy enables the species to establish a stable presence within its ecological niche, utilizing its woody or semi-woody structures to endure environmental fluctuations over its extended lifespan.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Craibiodendron henryi is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree. This species typically reaches a mean plant height of 11.5 meters, though individual specimens can vary in stature, ranging from a minimum height of 8 meters to a maximum height of 15 meters. Unlike climbing species, this plant is classified as self-supporting, maintaining its structural integrity through its woody composition.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

11.5 m

Plant height min:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Craibiodendron henryi is characterized by distinct morphological dimensions within its foliage that support its metabolic processes. The leaves exhibit a specialized size range, with a mean leaf length of 12.5 cm, though individual measurements vary from a minimum of 10 cm to a maximum of 15 cm. This longitudinal variation is complemented by a relatively narrow lateral profile, where leaf widths fluctuate between a minimum of 2 cm and a maximum of 3.5 cm. These specific leaf dimensions contribute to the plant's overall surface area for light interception and gas exchange, facilitating its physiological functions and growth patterns.

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length mean:

12.5 cm

Leaf length min:

10 cm

Leaf width max:

3.5 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Craibiodendron henryi is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its flowering and fruiting structures. The plant produces inflorescences that vary in length, ranging from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 0.25 m. Following the flowering stage, the development of the fruit is highly uniform in its dimensions; the fruit maintains a consistent length and width throughout its growth. Specifically, the fruit length is measured at a minimum, mean, and maximum of 1 cm, while the fruit width similarly shows no variance, with minimum, mean, and maximum values all recorded at 1 cm.

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit width max:

1 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.25 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.15 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Craibiodendron henryi has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

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

Chemicals

Craibiodendron henryi has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-Epicatechin, (-)-Isolariciresinol-2a-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside, 10-O-cis-p-coumaroyldesacetyl asperulosidic acid, 10-O-trans-p-coumaroyldesacetyl asperulosidic acid, 10-O-trans-p-coumaroylscandoside.

(-)-Epicatechin

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

(-)-Isolariciresinol-2a-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside

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

10-O-cis-p-coumaroyldesacetyl asperulosidic acid

1. Journal of natural products

10-O-trans-p-coumaroyldesacetyl asperulosidic acid

1. Journal of natural products

10-O-trans-p-coumaroylscandoside

1. Journal of natural products

BETA-SITOSTEROL

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

Daucosterol

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

Lyoniside

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

OCTACOSANOIC ACID

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

Proanthocyanidin A-2

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

Preparations

Craibiodendron henryi has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 95% ethanolic extract, roots of Craibiodendron henryi.

95% ethanolic extract

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

Roots of craibiodendron henryi

1. Journal of natural products