Cynanchum rostellatum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pergularia japonica
• Metaplexis japonica f. albiflora
• Metaplexis rostellata
• Metaplexis japonica
• Metaplexis stauntonii
• Cynanchum rostellatum f. albiflorum

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Gentianaales and the family Apocynaceae. Within this botanical hierarchy, the medicinal species is identified by the genus Cynanchum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range spanning across parts of East Asia. Within the Russian Far East, its distribution includes the Amur and Khabarovsk regions. It can also be found in the Kuril Islands and the Primorye territory. Furthermore, its presence extends into China, specifically within the South-Central region. These documented locations define the known natural habitat for Cynanchum rostellaatum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cynanchum rostellaatum is defined by its ability to thrive across diverse and varied topographical landscapes. This plant is commonly found inhabiting mountainous regions, where it adapts to the specific microclimates and elevations characteristic of high-altitude terrain. Its distribution extends to riparian zones near rivers, suggesting a capacity to utilize the moisture availability and alluvial soil deposits found in these corridors. Furthermore, the species demonstrates significant ecological plasticity by colonizing sandy substrates and integrating into dense shrubberies, where it likely competes for light and nutrients within complex vegetative structures.

Habitat :

mountains, rivers, sand, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Cynanchum rostellaatum is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial, the plant avoids the complete mortality associated with annual species, instead establishing a stable presence that enables it to accumulate resources over time and potentially undergo repeated reproductive cycles. This long-term survival strategy facilitates its ability to adapt to seasonal fluctuations and occupy specific ecological niches where it can maintain a continuous or recurring life cycle.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cynanchum rostellaatum is characterized by its stature and structural habit, reaching a plant height with a mean of approximately 8 m. It functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing surrounding structures for support as it grows. The plant exhibits a growth form classified as both a herb and a forb, possessing a woody nature in its structural development.

Climber :

obligatory

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Plant height mean:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cynanchum rostellaatum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The vegetative morphology, specifically regarding its foliar structure, demonstrates significant dimensional variability. The leaves exhibit a mean length of 8.5 cm, with dimensions ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 12 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width shows a mean value of 5.5 cm, fluctuating between a minimum width of 4 cm and a maximum width of 7 cm. This range in leaf size and shape reflects the plant's adaptive capacity for light interception and gas exchange within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

12 cm

Leaf length mean:

8.5 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

7 cm

Leaf width mean:

5.5 cm

Leaf width min:

4 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cynanchum rostellaatum is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering period and the development of elongated fruit structures. The flowering cycle typically commences in May and continues through July, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits that exhibit a distinct elongated morphology. These fruits possess a mean length of 8.5 cm, with measurements ranging from a minimum of 8 cm to a maximum of 9 cm. In terms of thickness, the fruit maintains a consistent width, with a mean, minimum, and maximum width all measured at 2 cm.

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length max:

9 cm

Fruit length mean:

8.5 cm

Fruit length min:

8 cm

Fruit width max:

2 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cynanchum rostellatum has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Saponins.

Saponins

1. Pharmaceutical science advances

Activities

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

Antioxidant

1. Pharmaceutical science advances