Himalayan fleabane

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Himalayan fleabane

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Erigeron radiosus
• Stenactis multiradiata
• Erigeron multiradiatus var. glabrescens
• Erigeron multiradiatus var. ovatifolius
• Erigeron multiradiatus var. salicifolius
• Aster roylei

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae and falls under the genus Erigeron.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions of Asia. In Western Asia, its presence has been documented within the borders of Afghanistan. It is also found in China, specifically throughout the South-Central regions and the high altitudes of Tibet. Within the Indian Subcontinent, the species inhabits the East Himalaya range. Finally, its range extends into the mountainous terrain of Nepal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Erigeron multiradiatus is characterized by its specialized adaptation to high-altitude alpine or subalpine environments. This species is strictly confined to significant elevations, occupying a vertical niche that begins at a minimum of 2500 m AMSL. It thrives across a broad altitudinal gradient, reaching its upper limits at an elevation of 4800 m AMSL, which suggests a high tolerance for the intense UV radiation, thin atmosphere, and extreme temperature fluctuations typical of montane ecosystems. The distribution of the plant centers around a mean elevation of approximately 3226.67 m AMSL, indicating that its optimal growing conditions are found within these high-mountain habitats where specific climatic and soil conditions are met.

Elevational range max:

4800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

3226.66666666667 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Erigeron multiradiatus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, meaning it survives for multiple years and undergoes repeated cycles of growth, flowering, and dormancy. As a perennial, it establishes a persistent root system that allows it to endure seasonal environmental fluctuations and re-emerge during successive growing seasons. This life cycle enables the plant to allocate resources toward both immediate reproductive efforts and long-term survival, often resulting in a more stable presence within its ecological niche compared to annual or biennial species. Through its multi-year lifespan, it contributes to the continuous structure of its habitat, utilizing its established biomass to navigate varying climatic conditions over time.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Erigeron multiradiatus is characterized by its growth form as a herb, specifically presenting as a non-woody, herbaceous plant. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, as it maintains a terrestrial life habit. Furthermore, it does not exhibit climbing behavior, as it is categorized as a self-supporting plant.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Erigeron multiradiatus is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its foliage that reflect its vegetative development and resource acquisition strategies. The leaf architecture exhibits significant variability, with mean leaf lengths recorded at 5.4375 cm, though individual specimens demonstrate a growth range spanning from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 9 cm. This longitudinal variation is accompanied by a distinct breadth in leaf width, which fluctuates between a minimum of 0.6 cm and a maximum of 2 cm. These dimensional parameters suggest a plastic physiological response to environmental stimuli, where the leaf surface area is modulated within these specific quantitative bounds to optimize photosynthetic efficiency and transpiration control.

Leaf length max:

9 cm

Leaf length mean:

5.4375 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

2 cm

Leaf width min:

0.6 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Erigeron multiradiatus is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and the production of minute fruit structures. The flowering period typically commences in March and concludes in April, though the timing can be variable across different seasonal cycles. Following pollination, the plant develops small fruits that exhibit highly consistent dimensions. The fruit length remains constant, with a minimum, mean, and maximum value all recorded at 0.2 cm. Similarly, the fruit width is highly uniform, maintaining a minimum, mean, and maximum measurement of 0.1 cm.

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit length max:

0.2 cm

Fruit width max:

0.1 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Erigeron multiradiatus has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiinflammatory.

Antiinflammatory

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Conditions

Erigeron multiradiatus has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include epidemics, hepatitis, meningitis, myocardial ischemia, plague.

Epidemics

1. Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM

Hepatitis

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Meningitis

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Myocardial ischemia

1. Mediators of inflammation

Plague

1. Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM

Polyneuritis

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Preparations

Erigeron multiradiatus has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include AE.

Ae

1. Mediators of inflammation