Calyx-shaped Tigernanmu

Daphniphyllum calycinum · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (11 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Calyx-shaped Tigernanmu, scientifically known as Daphniphyllum calycinum, is a distinctive medicinal plant native to East Asian forests. Renowned for its unique floral structure and potent bioactive compounds, it is frequently utilized in traditional medicine to treat inflammation and promote healing, offering significant pharmacological potential for modern therapeutic research.

Family
Daphniphyllaceae
Native range
Asia-Temperate
Parts used
Leaf · Seed
Common names
Calyx-Shaped Tigernanmu
Scientific synonyms
Not available

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Daphniphyllum calycinum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Saxifragales and sits in the family Daphniphyllaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Daphniphyllum.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Saxifragales
Family Daphniphyllaceae
Genus Daphniphyllum

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range across parts of East and Southeast Asia. Within China, it is primarily located in the southeastern regions of the country. Its distribution also extends into the Indo-China peninsula. Specifically, it can be found growing within the borders of Vietnam. These combined areas represent the known natural habitat for this medicinal species.

Region Area
China China Southeast
Indo-China Vietnam

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Daphniphyllum calycinum is characterized by its specific distribution across varying altitudinal gradients within its natural habitat. This species typically occupies a broad elevational range, establishing itself in environments that span from as low as 250 m AMSL to heights reaching up to 1500 m AMSL. Throughout its geographic range, the plant thrives most consistently at a mean elevation of approximately 875 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-altitude ecological niches where environmental conditions such as temperature, moisture, and light availability are optimally balanced for its growth and survival.

Elevational range max:
1500 m AMSL
Elevational range mean:
875 m AMSL
Elevational range min:
250 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Daphniphyllum calycinum is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its natural habitat through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and positioning relative to the ground, it exhibits a complex life form classification; it functions as a phanerophyte, maintaining its photosynthetic organs on visible branches above the soil surface, while also displaying characteristics of a nanophanerophyte, indicating that its woody stems are relatively short and kept close to the ground level.

Life form :
nanophanerophyte
Life form :
phanerophyte
Lifecycle :
perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Daphniphyllum calycinum is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub. This plant is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its structural stature, it is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing habits such as lianas or vines. Its height varies significantly depending on environmental conditions, with a minimum height of 1.5 m, a mean height of 2.75 m, and a maximum height reaching up to 4 m.

Aquatic :
terrestrial
Climber :
self-supporting
Epiphyte :
terrestrial
Growth form :
shrub
Parasite :
independent
Plant height max:
4 m
Plant height mean:
2.75 m
Plant height min:
1.5 m
Woodiness :
woody

Physiology

The physiology of Daphniphyllum calycinum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. The plant's vegetative structure is defined by specific foliar dimensions that facilitate gas exchange and light interception. The leaves exhibit a mean length of 14 cm, ranging from a minimum of 12 cm to a maximum of 16 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width shows a mean measurement of 6.5 cm, with values fluctuating between a minimum of 4 cm and a maximum of 9 cm. These morphological parameters work in tandem with its C3 metabolism to support the plant's overall energy production and growth requirements.

Leaf length max:
16 cm
Leaf length mean:
14 cm
Leaf length min:
12 cm
Leaf width max:
9 cm
Leaf width mean:
6.5 cm
Leaf width min:
4 cm
Photosynthetic pathway :
C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Daphniphyllum calycinum is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its reproductive structures and distinct dispersal strategies. The plant produces inflorescences that are relatively small, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.02 m to a maximum of 0.03 m. Following fertilization, the development of the fruit results in a consistent length of 0.7 cm, as both the minimum, mean, and maximum measurements are recorded at this value. The seeds produced are uniform in size, maintaining a consistent mass of 0.04129 g, which serves as both the mean, minimum, and maximum seed mass. Regarding the movement of its offspring, the plant exhibits a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to facilitate the spread of its seeds within its habitat.

Dispersal syndrome :
zoochorous
Fruit length max:
0.7 cm
Inflorescence length max:
0.03 m
Inflorescence length min:
0.02 m
Seed mass mean:
0.04129 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Daphniphyllum calycinum has 3 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed, stem.

Plant parts reported in Daphniphyllum calycinum
Plant part Supporting sources Consensus
Leaf 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Seed 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Stem 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Leaf

  1. Journal of natural products

Seed

  1. Journal of natural products

Stem

  1. The Journal of organic chemistry

Chemicals

Daphniphyllum calycinum has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 17-Hydroxyhomodaphniphyllic acid, 5,6,7,4'-Tetrahydroxyflavonol 3-O-rutinoside, Daphcalycine, Daphcalycinosidine C, Daphnicyclidin D.

Chemicals reported in Daphniphyllum calycinum
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
17-Hydroxyhomodaphniphyllic acid 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
5,6,7,4'-Tetrahydroxyflavonol 3-O-rutinoside 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Daphcalycine 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Daphcalycinosidine C 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Daphnicyclidin D 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Yuzurimic acid B 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
kaempferol 3-O-neohesperidoside 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

17-Hydroxyhomodaphniphyllic acid

  1. Journal of natural products

5,6,7,4'-Tetrahydroxyflavonol 3-O-rutinoside

  1. Journal of natural products

Daphcalycine

  1. The Journal of organic chemistry

Daphcalycinosidine C

  1. Journal of natural products

Daphnicyclidin D

  1. The Journal of organic chemistry

Yuzurimic acid B

  1. Journal of natural products

kaempferol 3-O-neohesperidoside

  1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Daphniphyllum calycinum has 3 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include seeds, stem bark, twigs.

Preparations reported for Daphniphyllum calycinum
Preparation Supporting sources Consensus
Seeds 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Stem bark 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Twigs 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Seeds

  1. Journal of natural products

Stem bark

  1. The Journal of organic chemistry

Twigs

  1. Journal of natural products