Discocleidion rufescens

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant, Discoleidioon rufescens, exhibits a specific geographical range across various regions of China. Its presence is documented within the South-Central part of the country. Furthermore, the species can be found extending into the North-Central areas of China. It also maintains a distribution within the Southeast regions of the nation. Consequently, these three distinct areas define the known habitat of this medicinal plant.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Discocleidioon rufescens is defined by its specific altitudinal distribution within its native habitat. This species thrives across a varied vertical gradient, occupying an elevational range that begins at a minimum altitude of 250 m AMSL. As the terrain rises, the plant maintains its presence through mid-elevation zones, reaching a mean elevation of approximately 625 m AMSL. The upper limits of its ecological niche are capped at a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL, restricting its growth to these specific topographical strata.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

625 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

250 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Discocleidium rufescens is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a growth form where the majority of its photosynthetic organs are borne on elevated woody structures above the ground level. Specifically, within the broader spectrum of life forms, it functions as a phanerophyte, distinguishing it from shorter-lived or ground-hugging forms such as chamaephytes, hemicryptophytes, or therophytes. This structural strategy allows the plant to maintain its perennial presence by protecting its buds during unfavorable seasonal conditions, ensuring its continued development and survival within its specific ecological niche.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Discocleidioon rufescens is characterized by a woody growth habit and a self-supporting climbing structure. As a terrestrial plant, it grows independently without behaving as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant exhibits significant variation in stature, with a height ranging from a minimum of 1.5 m to a maximum of 5 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 3.25 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

3.25 m

Plant height min:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Discocleidium rufescens is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its foliage that reflect its structural development. The leaves exhibit significant variability in size, with lengths typically ranging from a minimum of 7 cm to a mean of 10.5 cm, reaching a maximum extent of 14 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width demonstrates a broad physiological range, starting from a minimum of 5 cm and maintaining a mean width of 8.5 cm, while capable of expanding to a maximum width of 12 cm. This variation in leaf surface area suggests a dynamic capacity for light interception and gas exchange processes essential to the plant's metabolic functions.

Leaf length max:

14 cm

Leaf length mean:

10.5 cm

Leaf length min:

7 cm

Leaf width max:

12 cm

Leaf width mean:

8.5 cm

Leaf width min:

5 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Discocleidioon rufescens is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its flowering and fruiting structures. The plant produces inflorescences that typically range in length from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 0.2 m. Following the pollination period, the development of the fruit is marked by distinct size variations, where the fruit width fluctuates between a minimum of 0.6 cm and a maximum of 0.8 cm, maintaining an average fruit width of approximately 0.7 cm.

Fruit width max:

0.8 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.7 cm

Fruit width min:

0.6 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.2 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.15 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Discocleidion rufescens 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. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Preparations

Discocleidion rufescens has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include essential oil.

Essential oil

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials