Sinkiang fritillaria

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Sinkiang fritillaria

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Fritillaria xinyuanensis
• Fritillaria tianshanica
• Fritillaria walujewii var. plena
• Fritillaria walujewii var. shawanensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further categorized under the order Liliales and the family Liliaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Fritillaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Fritillaria walujewii, possesses a specific geographical range concentrated within the regions of Central Asia and East Asia. Its natural habitat extends across the vast territories of Kazakhstan. Additionally, this medicinal species can be found growing within the borders of Kirgizstan. The distribution also reaches into the easternmost parts of the continent, specifically in the Xinjiang region of China. Together, these locations define the unique ecological niche where this plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Fritillaria walujewii is characterized by its preference for high-altitude mountainous habitats. This species is specifically adapted to montane environments, where it thrives within a defined vertical distribution. It is typically found at an elevationally ranging from a minimum of 1300 m AMSL to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL, with the species maintaining a mean elevation of approximately 1650 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1650 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1300 m AMSL

Habitat :

mountains

Life history

The life history of Fritillaria walujewii is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a species adapted to specific ecological niches, it functions as a geophyte, utilizing specialized underground storage organs to survive periods of dormancy and unfavorable environmental conditions. This survival strategy is further categorized by its classification as a cryptophyte, meaning its vital regenerative buds are located safely below the soil surface, protecting the plant from external stressors such as extreme temperatures or herbivory.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Fritillaria walujeewii is characterized by a non-woody, herbaceous growth form that functions as a self-supporting plant. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently without relying on a host, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. The plant maintains a relatively low stature, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 0.4 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.3 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height mean:

0.3 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological profile of Fritillaria walujeewii is characterized by specific morphological dimensions in its foliage that reflect its vegetative development. The leaf structure exhibits significant variability in size, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 5.5 cm to a maximum of 10 cm, resulting in a calculated mean leaf length of 7.75 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation is the leaf width, which maintains a narrow profile, spanning from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum width of 0.9 cm. These specific measurements in leaf length and width define the plant's photosynthetic surface area and contribute to its overall physiological architecture.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

7.75 cm

Leaf length min:

5.5 cm

Leaf width max:

0.9 cm

Leaf width min:

0.2 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Fritillaria walujeewii is characterized by a specific flowering window and distinct fruit morphology. The flowering period is concentrated in the month of May, marking the primary stage of its reproductive cycle. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruits that exhibit specific dimensional characteristics. These fruits have a mean length and width of 2.4 cm, with dimensions ranging from a minimum of 1.8 cm to a maximum of 3 cm in both length and width. This uniformity in the mean measurements suggests a consistent fruit structure, while the variance between 1.8 cm and 3 cm reflects the natural morphological range of the species' reproductive output.

Flowering time :

May

Fruit length max:

3 cm

Fruit length mean:

2.4 cm

Fruit length min:

1.8 cm

Fruit width max:

3 cm

Fruit width mean:

2.4 cm

Fruit width min:

1.8 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Fritillaria walujewii has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Peiminine.

Peiminine

1. Advanced biomedical research

Conditions

Fritillaria walujewii has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer

1. Advanced biomedical research