Twig-hanging Embelia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Twig-hanging Embelia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

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 and order Ericales, it is situated in the family Primulaceae. Its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Embelia, which includes the species Embelia laeta.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several key regions in East Asia. Within China, it can be found throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its range also extends to the tropical island of Hainan. Moving further east, the species is documented in the country of Japan. Finally, its geographical presence includes the island of Taiwan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Embelia laeta is characterized by its specific altitudinal distribution within its natural habitat, where it thrives across a diverse range of elevations. This species is typically found starting from low-lying areas at a minimum elevation of 100 m AMSL, extending upward through various topographical gradients. The plant reaches its maximum recorded elevation at 1500 m AMSL, demonstrating a significant capacity for vertical niche occupation. On average, the species is most commonly situated at a mean elevation of 800 m AMSL, indicating a preference for mid-altitude ecological zones within its native range.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Embelia laeta is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a plant, it exhibits a phanerophyte life form, specifically categorized under the classifications of both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte, which indicates that its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems or branches. This structural growth habit enables the species to maintain a stable presence within its ecological niche over an extended period.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Embelia laeta is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub. This plant exhibits a climbing habit, specifically classified as a facultative climber, allowing it to ascend using surrounding structures. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 3 meters, with an average plant height of approximately 2 meters.

Climber :

facultative

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

2 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological structure of the foliage in Embelia laeta is characterized by specific morphometric dimensions that define its vegetative growth patterns. The leaves exhibit a notable range in longitudinal development, with a minimum length of 3 cm and a maximum reaching up to 4 cm, resulting in an observed mean leaf length of 3.5 cm. This longitudinal variation is complemented by a corresponding transverse breadth, where the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 1 cm and a maximum of 1.5 cm. These precise measurements in leaf area and dimension play a critical role in the plant's photosynthetic capacity and its overall physiological adaptation to its environment.

Leaf length max:

4 cm

Leaf length mean:

3.5 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

1.5 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Embelia laeta is characterized by its specific floral structures and seed dispersal mechanisms. The plant produces inflorescences that are notably small in scale, with a length typically ranging from a minimum of 0.003 m to a maximum of 0.008 m. Regarding the movement of its seeds, the species exhibits a complex dispersal profile; while it is primarily identified as being zoochorous, its dispersal syndrome can be categorized across a spectrum that includes anemochorous, autochorous, hydrochorous, and unspecialized methods.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Inflorescence length max:

0.008 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.003 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Embelia laeta has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Apigenin 7-O-glucoside, Chrysoeriol, Gallic acid, Hyperin, Physcion.

Apigenin 7-O-glucoside

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

Chrysoeriol

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

Gallic acid

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

Hyperin

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

Physcion

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

RUTIN

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

Vanillic acid

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

quercetin

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

Preparations