Duhaldea nervosa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aster macilentus
• Aster vellereus
• Duhaldea nervosa var. purpurascens
• Helenium nervosum
• Inula asperrima
• Inula esquirolii
• Inula nervosa var. purpurascens
• Inula nervosa
• Inula nitida
• Inula verrucosa

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Duhaldea, specifically as the species Duhaldea nervosa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across several key regions in Asia. In China, its presence is documented throughout the South-Central territories as well as the high-altitude areas of Tibet. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in the lush landscapes of Assam. The species also extends into the rugged terrain of the East Himalaya. Finally, its geographical reach concludes with significant populations located in Nepal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Duhaldea nervosa is characterized by its specific distribution within montane environments, where it occupies a distinct altitudinal niche. This species is primarily found at mid-to-high elevations, with a recorded elevational range that begins at a minimum of 1200 m AMSL. The species thrives most consistently around a mean elevation of 1650 m AMSL, suggesting an optimal ecological zone within this specific altitudinal band. Its vertical distribution extends upward to a maximum elevation of 2300 m AMSL, indicating an ability to adapt to the varying climatic conditions and environmental pressures typical of higher mountain gradients.

Elevational range max:

2300 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1650 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Duhaldea nervosa is characterized by its classification as a perennial, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a perennial species, the plant establishes a long-term presence in its ecological niche, allowing it to invest energy into robust structural development and repeated reproductive cycles over an extended lifespan. This lifecycle strategy enables the plant to withstand seasonal fluctuations and accumulate resources over time, providing it with greater resilience and stability compared to annual or biennial species.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Duhaldea nervosa is characterized by its growth form as a herb, manifesting in both general growth classifications and specifically as a forb. It functions as a self-supporting climber, utilizing its structural properties to ascend without the need for external hosts. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its ecological positioning rather than epiphytic, and it possesses a non-woody stem structure, consistent with its herbaceous nature.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Duhaldea nervosa is characterized by a specific morphological architecture in its foliage, which plays a critical role in its photosynthetic capacity and resource management. The leaves exhibit a significant range of dimensions, with lengths varying from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 10 cm, maintaining an average leaf length of 7.5 cm. This longitudinal variation is complemented by a distinct width profile, where leaf widths range from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 3.5 cm. These specific leaf measurements suggest a specialized surface-area-to-volume ratio designed to optimize light interception and gas exchange within its natural habitat.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

7.5 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

3.5 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Duhaldea nervosa is characterized by the development of small, specialized fruit structures that serve as the primary mechanism for seed dispersal. These fruits exhibit a specific size range, with measurements indicating a high degree of morphological consistency. The fruit length typically ranges from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.25 cm, resulting in an average fruit length of approximately 0.225 cm. This precise dimensioning of the fruit is a critical component of the plant's reproductive cycle, ensuring the successful containment and eventual distribution of seeds within its ecological niche.

Fruit length max:

0.25 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.225 cm

Fruit length min:

0.2 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Duhaldea nervosa has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

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

Stem

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

Chemicals

Duhaldea nervosa has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 10-Isobutyryloxy-8,9-epoxythymol isobutyrate, 5-HYDROXYMETHYLFURFURAL, CHLOROPHYLL, Compound 1, p-coumaric acid.

10-Isobutyryloxy-8,9-epoxythymol isobutyrate

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

5-HYDROXYMETHYLFURFURAL

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

CHLOROPHYLL

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

Compound 1

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

p-coumaric acid

1. Food chemistry