Fritillaria delavayi

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Fritillaria delavayi var. banmaensis
• Fritillaria bhutanica

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Liliales, it is further nested within the family Liliaceae. Finally, it is identified under the genus Fritillaria as the species Fritillaria delaavayi.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution across several key mountainous regions in Asia. Within China, its range extends through the South-Central provinces and into the high-altitude areas of Qinghai. It is also prominently found throughout the Tibet region. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, the species can be located in the East Himalaya. Together, these locations define the unique natural habitat of Fritillaria delaivayi.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Fritillaria delaavayi is defined by its specialized existence within high-altitude alpine environments, where it occupies a distinct niche characterized by extreme montane conditions. This species is primarily found at significant heights, maintaining a specific elevational range that dictates its survival and distribution. It thrives at a minimum elevation of 3800 m AMSL, reaching its peak ecological threshold at a maximum elevation of 4900 m AMSL. On average, the plant is situated at a mean elevation of 4250 m AMSL, suggesting an adaptation to the thin air, intense solar radiation, and unique soil compositions typical of high-mountain ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

4900 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

4250 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

3800 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Fritillaria delavayi is characterized by its classification as a cryptophyte, a strategy that allows it to survive unfavorable seasonal conditions by keeping its regenerative organs underground. Specifically, it functions as a geophyte, utilizing specialized underground storage organs to endure periods of dormancy. This life cycle enables the plant to persist in its natural habitat by sheltering its vital structures from extreme environmental fluctuations, ensuring that it can rapidly re-emerge and complete its reproductive cycle once favorable growing conditions return.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Fritillaria delaavayi is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. This plant is a self-supporting, terrestrial species that grows independently without parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing plant, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.17 m to a maximum of 0.35 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.26 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.35 m

Plant height mean:

0.26 m

Plant height min:

0.17 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological development of Fritillaria delaayi is characterized by distinct morphological variations in its foliage, which serves as a primary site for photosynthetic activity and nutrient assimilation. The leaf dimensions exhibit a significant range, reflecting adaptive growth patterns where the average leaf length is measured at 4.5 cm. However, the plant displays considerable plasticity in its leaf size, with minimum lengths recorded as low as 2 cm and maximum lengths reaching up to 7 cm. Parallel to these longitudinal variations, the leaf width also undergoes substantial fluctuation, ranging from a minimum width of 1 cm to a maximum width of 3 cm. These dimensional parameters indicate a dynamic physiological capacity to modulate surface area, likely as a response to environmental stressors or varying light intensities within its natural habitat.

Leaf length max:

7 cm

Leaf length mean:

4.5 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Fritillaria delaவி is characterized by the development of specialized fruit structures that serve to disperse its progeny. The morphology of these fruits is remarkably consistent, exhibiting a uniform size profile across observed specimens. Specifically, the fruit maintains a steady length, with a mean length of 3 cm, which also represents both its minimum and maximum recorded values. In terms of lateral development, the fruit width is equally stable, consistently measuring 2 cm, a value that serves as its minimum, maximum, and mean width. This precise dimensional stability in the fruit—measuring approximately 3 cm in length and 2 cm in width—ensures a standardized mechanism for seed protection and eventual dispersal within its natural habitat.

Fruit length max:

3 cm

Fruit width max:

2 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Fritillaria delavayi 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Current biology : CB

Chemicals

Fritillaria delavayi has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-Deoxyadenosine, adenine, adenosine, cytidine, guanosine.

2-Deoxyadenosine

1. Journal of separation science

adenine

1. Journal of separation science

adenosine

1. Journal of separation science

cytidine

1. Journal of separation science

guanosine

1. Journal of separation science

hypoxanthine

1. Journal of separation science

inosine

1. Journal of separation science

thymidine

1. Journal of separation science

uracil

1. Journal of separation science

uridine

1. Journal of separation science

Activities

Fritillaria delavayi has 3 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antitussive, Bacteriostatic, Expectorant.

Antitussive

1. Journal of separation science

Bacteriostatic

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

Expectorant

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

Conditions

Fritillaria delavayi has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antitussive, bacteria, cough, inflammation, respiratory diseases.

Antitussive

1. Journal of separation science

Bacteria

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

Cough

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

Inflammation

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

Respiratory diseases

1. Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources