Chinese Eriosema

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese Eriosema

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Eriosema himalaicum
• Crotalaria tuberosa
• Pyrrhotrichia tuberosa

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is further classified under the family Fabaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Eriosema.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across several distinct regions of East Asia. In mainland China, its presence is widely documented throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories. It can also be found in the high-altitude regions of Tibet, demonstrating a remarkable adaptability to varying climates. Furthermore, the species is naturally distributed across the tropical island of Hainan. Finally, its geographical reach extends to the island of Taiwan, rounding out its eastern distribution.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Eriosema chinense is characterized by its specific adaptation to high-altitude montane environments, where it thrives within a defined vertical niche. This species is primarily found in mountainous regions, occupying an elevational range that begins at 1500 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2100 m AMSL. Within this altitudinal band, the plant interacts with the unique climatic conditions typical of cloud forests or high-altitude scrublands, which often feature high humidity, frequent mist, and cooler temperature regimes. The specific selection of this elevation range suggests a specialized requirement for the soil composition and atmospheric moisture levels present in these mid-to-high elevation tropical or subtropical zones.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Eriosema chinense is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire biological progression—from germination and vegetative growth to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. Following the emergence of seedlings, the plant rapidly directs its energy toward establishing a structural framework and developing foliage suitable for photosynthesis. As the seasonal cycle progresses, the plant transitions into its reproductive phase, producing flowers that facilitate pollination. Once fertilization is achieved, the plant focuses its remaining metabolic resources on the maturation of seeds, ensuring the next generation is established before the individual plant senesces and dies at the end of the year.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Eriosema chinense is characterized by a growth form classified as both a herb and a forb, exhibiting a non-woody structure. It functions as an independent organism, lacking parasitic tendencies, and is primarily terrestrial rather than epiphytic. While it can inhabit aquatic, semiaquatic, or terrestrial environments, it does not act as an obligatory climber; instead, it is described as a self-supporting plant, ranging from a vine-like habit to a self-supporting structure. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a relatively low profile, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.25 m to a maximum of 1 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.25 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Eriosema chinense is fundamentally characterized by its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation strategies. Under this pathway, the plant fixes atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme Rubisco, leading to the initial formation of a three-carbon compound, 3-phosphoglycerate, during the Calvin cycle. This metabolic framework influences the plant's water-use efficiency and transpiration rates, as it must balance the intake of CO2 through its stomata with the prevention of desiccation. Consequently, its physiological adaptations for growth and energy production are closely tied to the environmental availability of light, moisture, and temperature, which modulate the efficiency of its C3-driven carbon assimilation.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Eriosema chinense 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. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Eriosema chinense has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Eriosematin, Eriosematin E, Flemichin D.

Eriosematin

1. Phytochemistry

Eriosematin E

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Flemichin D

1. Phytochemistry

Activities

Eriosema chinense has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Cytotoxic

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Preparations

Eriosema chinense has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include dichloromethane extract of the roots.

Dichloromethane extract of the roots

1. Phytochemistry