Cryptocarya chinensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Beilschmiedia chinensis

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. Within the order Laurales and the family Lauraceae, it is classified under the genus Cryptocarya. Specifically, the medicinal species is known as Cryptocarya chinensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several key regions of East Asia. Within China, it can be found growing in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. Its presence also extends to the island nation of Japan. Furthermore, the species is documented within the Nansei-shotō archipelago. Collectively, these locations define the natural geographical range of Cryptocarya chinensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cryptocarya chinensis is characterized by its specific altitudinal distribution within montane and subtropical forest ecosystems. This species typically thrives within a defined elevational range, occupying habitats starting from a minimum altitude of 300 m AMSL. As elevation increases, the plant's presence extends through mid-altitude zones, maintaining a mean elevation of approximately 700 m AMSL. The upper limit of its ecological niche is reached at a maximum elevation of 1100 m AMSL, beyond which the environmental conditions likely become less suitable for its growth and survival.

Elevational range max:

1100 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cryptocarya chinensis is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem over multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive buds are located on aerial shoots well above the ground, a structural adaptation that defines its primary life form. This species maintains a consistent photosynthetic capacity through its evergreen nature, retaining its foliage throughout the year rather than undergoing seasonal shedding.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cryptocarya chinensis is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which typically reaches a significant height with an average measurement of 18 m. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, maintaining an independent existence without acting as a parasite. In terms of structural support, the plant is categorized as self-supporting, meaning it does not function as a liana or a climbing vine, but rather stands on its own through its robust, woody architecture.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

18 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cryptocarya chinensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. Its foliage is composed of elliptic leaves that feature entire margins, completely lacking in both thorns and spines. The leaf dimensions exhibit specific morphological variability, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 7 cm to a mean of 9 cm, reaching a maximum of 11 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width varies from a minimum of 3.5 cm to a maximum of 5.5 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on the available soil nutrients for its developmental and physiological requirements.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

11 cm

Leaf length mean:

9 cm

Leaf length min:

7 cm

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

5.5 cm

Leaf width min:

3.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cryptocarya chinensis is characterized by its specific inflorescence and fruit morphology. The plant produces inflorescences that vary in length, ranging from a minimum of 0.015 m to a maximum of 0.04 m. Following pollination, the development of the fruit exhibits measurable dimensional variation; the fruit length ranges from a minimum of 0.75 cm to a maximum of 0.9 cm, with an average length of 0.825 cm. Similarly, the fruit width fluctuates between a minimum of 0.9 cm and a maximum of 1.2 cm, maintaining a mean width of 1.05 cm. Regarding the movement of its offspring, the species utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to facilitate the spread of its seeds.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit length max:

0.9 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.825 cm

Fruit length min:

0.75 cm

Fruit width max:

1.2 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.05 cm

Fruit width min:

0.9 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.04 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.015 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cryptocarya chinensis 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. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Cryptocarya chinensis has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-8,9-Dihydrostepharine, (+)-Eschscholtzidine N-oxide, (-)-12-Hydroxycrychine, CRYPTOCARYANONE A, Crychine.

(+)-8,9-Dihydrostepharine

1. Journal of natural products

(+)-Eschscholtzidine N-oxide

1. Journal of natural products

(-)-12-Hydroxycrychine

1. Journal of natural products

CRYPTOCARYANONE A

1. Journal of natural products

Crychine

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

INFECTOCARYONE

1. Journal of natural products

Isoamuronine

1. Journal of natural products

Isocryprochine

1. Journal of natural products

Prooxocryptochine

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Cryptocarya chinensis has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Cryptocarya chinensis has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanol extract of the wood, leaves.

Ethanol extract of the wood

1. Journal of natural products

Leaves

1. Journal of natural products