Chinese Desmos

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese Desmos
• Chinese eagle claw

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Uvaria discolor
• Unona chinensis
• Unona monilifera
• Polyalthia lawii
• Desmos chinensis var. brevifolius
• Desmos lawii
• Unona discolor var. pachypetala
• Artabotrys esquirolii
• Unona discolor var. bracteata
• Unona discolor var. laevigata
• Unona discolor var. pubescens
• Unona discolor var. parviflora
• Unona discolor var. macropetala
• Unona discolor var. neglecta
• Unona discolor var. siamensis
• Unona discolor var. latifolia
• Unona discolor var. pubiflora
• Uvaria monilifera
• Unona biglandulosa
• Unona cordifolia
• Unona amherstiana
• Unona lawii
• Unona lessertiana
• Uvaria cordifolia
• Uvaria amherstiana
• Unona discolor var. angustipetala
• Desmos chinensis var. lawii
• Unona discolor var. brevifolia
• Unona discolor
• Desmos chinensis var. macropetalus
• Desmos chinensis var. jarawae
• Magnolia echinina

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and order Magnoliales, it is a member of the family Annonaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Desmos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range across several key regions in Asia. In China, its presence is noted throughout the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, it is specifically documented in the state of Assam. Furthermore, the species can also be found growing within the borders of Bangladesh. Collectively, these locations highlight the diverse habitats where Desmos chinensis thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Desmos chinensis is characterized by its preference for specific tropical and subtropical forest ecosystems, primarily inhabiting Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial), and Restinga environments. This species thrives within a specific altitudinal gradient, occupying an elevational range that begins at 300 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 600 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Life history

The life history of Desmos chinensis is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the species is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically identified under both the phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life form categories, which indicates that its perennating buds are elevated above the ground level.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Desmos chinensis is characterized by a woody growth form, typically manifesting as a shrub. This plant is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism, lacking parasitic tendencies. In terms of its structural habit, it is classified as a self-supporting climber, possessing the ability to maintain its stature without the obligatory need for external support. The plant exhibits significant vertical development, with a height that reaches a maximum of 15 meters and maintains an average height of approximately 15 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of Desmos chinensis are closely reflected in its vegetative morphology, particularly through its leaf development and nutrient acquisition strategies. The plant exhibits significant variation in its foliar dimensions, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 13 cm, maintaining a mean length of approximately 8.5 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 2 cm and a maximum of 5 cm. In terms of metabolic nitrogen cycling, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil through its root system rather than through symbiotic biological nitrogen fixation.

Leaf length max:

13 cm

Leaf length mean:

8.5 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Desmos chinensis is characterized by the development of fleshy fruits that play a critical role in its life cycle. These fruits vary significantly in size, with a minimum length of 2 cm, a mean length of 3.5 cm, and reaching a maximum length of up to 5 cm. The seeds contained within these fleshy fruits exhibit a consistent volume profile, ranging from a minimum of 76 mm³ to a maximum of 81 mm³, with an average seed volume of approximately 78.67 mm³. Regarding the dispersal of its offspring, the plant utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to aid in the movement and distribution of its seeds throughout its habitat.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

5 cm

Fruit length mean:

3.5 cm

Fruit length min:

2 cm

Seed volume max:

81 mm³

Seed volume mean:

78.6666666666667 mm³

Seed volume min:

76 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Desmos chinensis has 2 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, fruit.

Leaf

1. RSC advances
2. Archives of pharmacal research

Fruit

1. RSC advances

Chemicals

Desmos chinensis has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2',3'-Dihydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxydihydrochalcone, 2-Methoxybenzyl benzoate, Allantoic acid, Astilbin, BETA-SITOSTEROL.

2',3'-Dihydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxydihydrochalcone

1. Archives of pharmacal research

2-Methoxybenzyl benzoate

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Allantoic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Astilbin

1. Archives of pharmacal research

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Daucosterol

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Desmethoxymatteucinol

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Desmosflavone

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Isounonal

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Lawinal

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Preparations

Desmos chinensis has 1 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanol extract of the dried leaves.

Methanol extract of the dried leaves

1. Archives of pharmacal research