Chinese coffeetree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese coffeetree
• soap tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Gymnocladus guangxiensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Gymnocladus chinensis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is found within the genus Gymnocladus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several distinct Asian regions. Within China, it can be found throughout the South-Central provinces. It is also widely distributed across the Southeast region of China. Beyond Chinese borders, its range extends into the Indian Subcontinent. Specifically, it inhabits the mountainous terrain of the East Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Gymnocladus chinensis is characterized by its stature as a perennial tree. As a woody species, it develops a robust and permanent structural framework composed of lignified tissues.

Growth form :

tree

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Gymnocladus chinensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism that allows the plant to fix carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle during the light-independent reactions. In terms of its structural and mechanical properties, the plant exhibits a stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 727 mg/cm³, reflecting its internal tissue composition and its capacity for structural support and resource transport within its woody framework.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

727 mg/cm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Gymnocladus chinensis 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 fruit.

Fruit

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Gymnocladus chinensis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Gymnocladus saponin G.

Gymnocladus saponin G

1. Journal of natural products

Conditions

Gymnocladus chinensis has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include HIV, antioxidant activity.

Hiv

1. Journal of natural products

Antioxidant activity

1. Chemistry & biodiversity