Gaultheria fragrantissima

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Brossaea fragrantissima

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Ericales, it is a member of the family Ericaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Gaultheria, specifically as the species Gaultheria fragrantissima.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct regions of Asia. In China, it can be found growing throughout the South-Central territories as well as in Tibet. The species also extends into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically inhabiting the region of Assam. Furthermore, it is widely distributed across the East Himalaya mountains. Finally, its presence is firmly established within the borders of India.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Gaultheria fragrantissima is defined by its distribution across significant altitudinal gradients within montane ecosystems. This species typically thrives in high-altitude environments, occupying a broad elevational range that spans from a minimum of 1200 m AMSL to a maximum of 3600 m AMSL. Throughout its natural habitat, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 2500 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-to-high montane zones where specific climatic conditions and soil compositions are present. This wide vertical distribution allows the species to inhabit various ecological niches within the mountain landscape, adapting to the varying temperatures and atmospheric pressures found between its lower and upper limits.

Elevational range max:

3600 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Gaultheria fragrantissima is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Throughout its existence, it maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and present year-round rather than shedding seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Gaultheria fragrantissima is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a shrub or a tree. This species exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit, functioning as a liana or vine that does not require external support to maintain its structure. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a minimum height of 1.5 m, with a mean height of approximately 2.125 m, and can attain a maximum height of up to 5 m. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior and grows as a terrestrial plant rather than an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

2.125 m

Plant height min:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Gaultheria fragrantissima is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Its vegetative growth is defined by specific foliar dimensions, with leaves exhibiting a minimum length of 5 cm and a mean length of 7.5 cm, reaching a maximum potential length of 10 cm. The leaf width varies from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 4 cm, providing the necessary surface area for gas exchange and light interception within its ecological niche. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on the availability of nitrogen within the soil substrate to support its physiological development and biochemical functions.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

7.5 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Gaultheria fragrantissima is characterized by biotic pollination syndromes, primarily driven by insect vectors. The development of its reproductive structures culminates in the formation of fruits that exhibit consistent morphological dimensions, maintaining a uniform size with a mean fruit length of 0.5 cm and a mean fruit width of 0.5 cm; indeed, the minimum, maximum, and mean values for both length and width are all recorded at 0.5 cm. Following fertilization, the plant produces seeds with varying mass profiles, ranging from a minimum of 0.00003 g to a maximum of 0.00036 g, with an average seed mass of approximately 0.000195 g.

Fruit length max:

0.5 cm

Fruit width max:

0.5 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.00036 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000195 g

Seed mass min:

3e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Gaultheria fragrantissima 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. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Gaultheria fragrantissima has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include methyl salicylate, BETA-SITOSTEROL, EO, Hyperoside, Ursolic acid.

methyl salicylate

1. Dr. Duke
2. Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

EO

1. Dr. Duke

Hyperoside

1. Dr. Duke

Ursolic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Gaultheria fragrantissima has 142 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Analgesic, Anaphrodisiac, Androgenic.

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Anaphrodisiac

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiEBV

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

AntiTGF-beta

1. Dr. Duke