Crataegus kansuensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Crataegus kansuenis, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the Chinese landscape. Its presence is primarily documented within the southern reaches of the country. Specifically, it can be found throughout the China South-Central region. Additionally, the species extends its range into the China North-Central territories. Together, these locations define the known geographical limits for this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Crataegus kansuenensis is characterized by its presence within specific montane altitudinal gradients, where it occupies a broad vertical niche. This species is typically found across a diverse elevational range that spans from a minimum of 1000 m AMSL to a maximum of 3000 m AMSL. Within this distribution, the plant reaches its ecological equilibrium at a mean elevation of approximately 2000 m AMSL, indicating a preference for mid-to-high altitude environments. These varying elevations suggest an adaptability to the distinct climatic and soil conditions found across different mountain life zones, allowing the species to persist from lower montane slopes up to high-altitude reaches.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1000 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Crataegus kansuensis is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived woody plant, it avoids the rapid turnover associated with annuals or the two-year cycle of biennials, instead focusing its energy on establishing a robust structural framework that supports continuous growth and reproduction over many years. This perennial nature enables the plant to withstand seasonal fluctuations and accumulate the necessary resources to undergo complex reproductive cycles, contributing to the stability of its ecological niche through sustained presence and long-term survival.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Crataegus kansuenis is characterized by its woody growth form, manifesting primarily as a shrub. The plant exhibits a self-supporting structural habit, requiring no external support to maintain its posture. In terms of vertical dimension, the species displays significant variability in size; it typically reaches a mean height of 5.25 m, though individual specimens can be found as small as 2.5 m or as large as 8 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height mean:

5.25 m

Plant height min:

2.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological profile of Crataegus kansuenis is characterized by specific morphological adaptations in its foliage, which play a critical role in its metabolic processes and photosynthetic efficiency. The leaf architecture exhibits significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 6 cm, maintaining an overall mean length of 5 cm. Complementing this longitudinal dimension, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 3 cm and a maximum of 4 cm. These precise dimensions in leaf size and shape influence the plant's surface area-to-volume ratio, directly impacting gas exchange rates, transpiration regulation, and the capacity for light interception within its natural habitat.

Leaf length max:

6 cm

Leaf length mean:

5 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Crataegus kansuenensis is characterized by its specific inflorescence and fruit morphology. The flowering process occurs within an inflorescence that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.03 m to a maximum of 0.04 m in length. The individual flowers are relatively small, with lengths measuring between a minimum of 0.8 cm and a maximum of 1 cm. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits that exhibit consistent dimensions; the fruit length varies from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 1 cm, with a mean length of 0.9 cm. Similarly, the fruit width ranges from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 1 cm, maintaining a mean width of 0.9 cm.

Flower length max:

1 cm

Flower length min:

0.8 cm

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.9 cm

Fruit length min:

0.8 cm

Fruit width max:

1 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.9 cm

Fruit width min:

0.8 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.04 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.03 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Crataegus kansuensis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)