Daphne acutiloba

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Daphne odora subsp. acutiloba

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 Malvales, it is classified under the family Thymelaeaceae and specifically identified by the genus Daphne. As a member of the Daphne acuutiloba species, it occupies a distinct position within this taxonomic hierarchy.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Daphne acuutiloba, possesses a very specific and localized geographical distribution. It is primarily found within the natural landscapes of China. More specifically, its occurrence is concentrated in the South-Central region of the country. This particular area provides the unique environmental conditions necessary for the species to thrive. Consequently, its range is limited to these specific territories within the South-Central Chinese provinces.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Daphne acuutiloba is characterized by its specific adaptation to montane environments, where it occupies a distinct vertical niche within its habitat. This species thrives across a substantial altitudinal gradient, primarily distributed within high-altitude zones. Its elevational range spans from a minimum of 1400 m AMSL to a maximum of 3000 m AMSL, indicating a broad capacity to tolerate varying degrees of mountain climate complexity. The plant reaches its optimal ecological equilibrium at a mean elevation of approximately 2200 m AMSL, a mid-altitude belt that likely provides the specific temperature and moisture regimes required for its growth and survival.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1400 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Daphne acuutiloba is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen status, meaning it retains its foliage year-round instead of shedding leaves seasonally. This combination of a long-lived perennial lifecycle and evergreen foliage enables the plant to maintain consistent photosynthetic activity and structural presence across different temporal stages of its development.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Daphne acuutiloba is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub. As a self-supporting plant, it does not require external structures for climbing, maintaining a stable structural habit. In terms of stature, the species exhibits variable plant height, typically ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 2 m, with an average height of approximately 1.25 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

1.25 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of the foliage in Daphne acuutiloba are defined by a specific range of morphological dimensions that reflect its vegetative growth patterns. The leaves exhibit significant variability in size, with lengths typically ranging from a minimum of 4 cm to a mean of 7 cm, though they can reach a maximum extent of up to 10 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 1.2 cm and a maximum of 3.6 cm, maintaining an average width of approximately 2.4 cm. These dimensions suggest a structural adaptation in leaf surface area that supports the plant's metabolic requirements and photosynthetic efficiency.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

7 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

3.6 cm

Leaf width mean:

2.4 cm

Leaf width min:

1.2 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Daphne acutiloba has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Caffeic acid n-octadecyl ester, Daphnenin.

Caffeic acid n-octadecyl ester

1. Planta medica

Daphnenin

1. Planta medica

Conditions

Daphne acutiloba has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include HIV.

Hiv

1. Planta medica