Epimedium wushanense

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Epimedium wushanense, belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Ranunculales. Finally, it is a member of the family Berberidaceae and the genus Epimedium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to a specific region within the country of China. Its primary geographical distribution is concentrated in the South-Central part of the nation. Within these territories, it thrives in the unique environmental conditions provided by the local climate. This localized presence makes it a characteristic element of the South-Central Chinese landscape. Consequently, researchers focusing on this species primarily conduct their fieldwork within these specific provinces.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Epimedium wushanense is characterized by a specific altitudinal distribution within its native habitat, typically thriving in montane environments. This species occupies a broad vertical gradient, with its presence documented starting from a minimum elevation of 300 m AMSL. As the terrain rises, the plant is most commonly found at a mean elevation of approximately 1000 m AMSL, indicating a preference for mid-altitude ecological zones. The upper limits of its viable habitat reach a maximum of 1700 m AMSL, defining the environmental boundaries within which its growth and reproductive cycles are optimized.

Elevational range max:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Epimedium wushanense is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it establishes a stable root system that enables it to survive periods of dormancy and re-emerge annually. Its development involves a continuous cycle of vegetative growth and seasonal flowering, with its longevity and ability to colonize its specific habitat being driven by this multi-year survival strategy.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Epimedium wushanense is characterized by its relatively low-growing stature, typically presenting as a perennial herb. The plant height varies across its distribution, with specimens generally reaching an average height of 0.65 m. Individual plants may be found as small as 0.5 m in height, while the most robust individuals can reach a maximum height of 0.8 m.

Plant height max:

0.8 m

Plant height mean:

0.65 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Physiology

The physiological development of the foliage in Epimedium wuushanense is characterized by significant morphological variability in leaf dimensions, which plays a critical role in its photosynthetic capacity and environmental adaptation. The leaves exhibit a substantial range in longitudinal growth, with a mean leaf length of 16 cm, extending from a minimum of 9 cm to a maximum potential length of 23 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation is a distinct breadth in the leaf structure; the width of the leaves fluctuates between a minimum of 1.8 cm and a maximum of 4.5 cm, maintaining an average width of 3.15 cm. This structural plasticity in leaf area and aspect ratio suggests a highly adaptive physiological mechanism for managing light interception and transpiration rates within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

23 cm

Leaf length mean:

16 cm

Leaf length min:

9 cm

Leaf width max:

4.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

3.15 cm

Leaf width min:

1.8 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Epimedium wushanense is characterized by its distinct inflorescence and fruit development stages. The plant produces an inflorescence that varies in size, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 0.3 m. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruits that exhibit a highly consistent morphology; the fruit length is remarkably uniform, maintaining a mean length of 1.5 cm, with both the minimum and maximum measured values staying constant at 1.5 cm.

Fruit length max:

1.5 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.3 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.15 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Epimedium wushanense 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 root.

Root

1. Natural product research

Chemicals

Epimedium wushanense has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Icariin, 6-BA, CU, Desmethylanhydroicaritin, Diphylloside A.

Icariin

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. Natural product research
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

6-BA

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

CU

1. Biological trace element research

Desmethylanhydroicaritin

1. Natural product research

Diphylloside A

1. Natural product research

Epimedkoreside B

1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Epimedoside A

1. Natural product research

Epimedoside C

1. Natural product research

Flavonoids

1. Ultrasonics sonochemistry

GA3

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

Preparations

Epimedium wushanense has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Epimedii Wushanensis Folium, TF extract.

Epimedii wushanensis folium

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Tf extract

1. Ultrasonics sonochemistry