Eremurus altaicus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Eremurus altaicus var. asperulus
• Asphodelus altaicus
• Asphodelus sibiricus

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 Asparagales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asphodelaceae and is identified by the genus Eremurus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the rugged landscapes of Northern and Central Asia. In the Siberian region, its presence is specifically noted within the Altai mountains. Moving into Central Asia, it can be found growing throughout the territory of Kazakhstan. The species also inhabits various parts of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Finally, its geographical range extends into the diverse terrains of Uzbekistan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Eremurus altaicus is characterized by its preference for mountainous regions and inhabited places, where it thrives within specific altitudinal gradients. This species typically occupies a mid-to-high altitude niche, with its elevational range spanning from a minimum of 1300 m AMSL to a maximum of 2200 m AMSL. On average, the plant is most commonly found at an elevation of approximately 1750 m AMSL, reflecting its adaptation to the specific climatic and topographical conditions found in these montane environments.

Elevational range max:

2200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1750 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1300 m AMSL

Habitat :

inhabited places, mountains

Life history

The life history of Eremurus altaicus is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a member of the cryptophyte group, its vital organs are protected beneath the soil surface during unfavorable conditions, which is further supported by its specific life form as a geophyte. This geophytic nature enables the plant to rely on specialized underground storage organs to survive dormancy and emerge during favorable environmental cycles.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Eremurus altaicus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. It functions as a self-supporting plant, exhibiting a terrestrial habit rather than being an epiphyte, and it maintains an independent life cycle without acting as a parasite. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a mean height of 0.9 m, though individual specimens may vary in size, ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 1.2 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height mean:

0.9 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Eremurus altaicus is characterized by specialized adaptations to its arid or semi-arid habitats, particularly concerning its vegetative morphology and water-retention strategies. A key physiological aspect of its growth habit is reflected in its foliar development, where the leaf width serves as a critical parameter for light interception and transpiration regulation; specifically, the leaves exhibit a measurable width ranging from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 1.7 cm. This controlled surface area helps the plant manage gas exchange and mitigate excessive water loss through transpiration during peak metabolic periods. The plant's physiological processes are closely tied to its seasonal cycle, utilizing its robust root system to store nutrients and moisture, which supports the rapid upward growth of its tall inflorescences. The variation in leaf width within the 0.8-1.7 cm range suggests a physiological plasticity that allows the plant to optimize photosynthetic efficiency based on available light intensity and local microclimatic moisture levels.

Leaf width max:

1.7 cm

Leaf width min:

0.8 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Eremurus altaicus is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and the development of distinct fruit structures. The flowering process begins in June and concludes within the same month, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits that exhibit relatively uniform dimensions. These fruits typically measure a mean length and width of 0.8 cm, with a minimum dimension of 0.6 cm and a maximum dimension reaching up to 1 cm for both length and width.

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.8 cm

Fruit length min:

0.6 cm

Fruit width max:

1 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.8 cm

Fruit width min:

0.6 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Eremurus altaicus 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. Carbohydrate polymers

Chemicals

Eremurus altaicus has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4 Hydroxybenzoic Acids, D-Glucopyranose, INULIN, Khusimyl acid, Vanillic acid.

4 Hydroxybenzoic Acids

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

D-Glucopyranose

1. Computers in biology and medicine

INULIN

1. Carbohydrate polymers

Khusimyl acid

1. Computers in biology and medicine

Vanillic acid

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

d-(-)-tagatofuranose pentakis(trimethylsilyl) ether

1. Computers in biology and medicine

ferulic acid

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

fructans

1. Carbohydrate polymers

glycerol

1. Computers in biology and medicine

oligofructose

1. Carbohydrate polymers

Activities

Eremurus altaicus has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Antioxidant

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Cytotoxic

1. Computers in biology and medicine

Preparations

Eremurus altaicus has 3 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extract, methanol and water extracts, root powder (Serish).

Ethanolic extract

1. Computers in biology and medicine

Methanol and water extracts

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Root powder (serish)

1. Carbohydrate polymers