red-vegetable

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• red-vegetable
• velvetplant
• Okinawa spinach

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Gynura auriculata var. puberula
• Cacalia angulosa
• Cacalia bicolor
• Gynura angulosa
• Gynura angulosa var. petiolata
• Gynura cusimbua var. petiolata
• Senecio moluccanus
• Senecio punduahensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Gynura, specifically the species Gynura bicolor.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions in East Asia. Within China, it can be found throughout the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. Its range extends further into Eastern Asia, specifically including the islands of Japan. Additionally, the species is documented in the Nansei-shotō archipelago. Together, these locations define the specific natural habitats where the plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Gynura bicolor is characterized by its distribution across a significant altitudinal gradient, allowing it to inhabit diverse montane environments. The species thrives within an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 600 m AMSL and extends to a maximum altitude of 2500 m AMSL. Throughout its natural habitat, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1050 m AMSL, a positioning that suggests a preference for mid-altitude ecological zones where specific moisture and temperature regimes are met. This broad vertical distribution indicates an adaptability to varying atmospheric pressures and environmental conditions found between subtropical and temperate highland ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1050 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Gynura bicolor is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. As a perennial species, it maintains a continuous presence in its habitat, often developing robust root systems or rhizomes that facilitate survival during unfavorable environmental conditions. This long-term life cycle enables the plant to accumulate biomass over time, leading to the development of its characteristic large, colorful leaves and the ability to undergo repeated reproductive phases. Its ability to live for several years provides a stable foundation for its role in its ecosystem, as it can establish dominance in shaded or moist environments through sustained vegetative growth and periodic flowering.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Gynura bicolor is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, manifesting as both a general herb and a forb. This terrestrial plant is self-supporting rather than being a climber, maintaining an upright structure without the need for external support. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits a variable height, typically reaching a maximum of 1 m, with a mean height of approximately 0.775 m and a minimum recorded height of 0.5 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.775 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Gynura bicolor is characterized by specific morphological dimensions and nutritional processes, particularly regarding its foliar development and nitrogen metabolism. The leaves exhibit a notable range in size, with a mean leaf length of 7.5 cm, ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 10 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width maintains a mean of 3.25 cm, fluctuating between a minimum of 2.5 cm and a maximum of 4 cm. Furthermore, regarding its biochemical interactions with the soil environment, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external nitrogen sources rather than symbiotic nitrogen fixation to support its physiological growth and metabolic requirements.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

7.5 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width mean:

3.25 cm

Leaf width min:

2.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Gynura bicolor is characterized by the development of small, uniform fruits that play a critical role in its dispersal and life cycle. The morphological data for its fruit indicates a highly consistent size distribution, with a measured fruit length that remains constant across all observations. Specifically, the fruit length exhibits a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 0.4 cm, suggesting a very low degree of variation in the dimensions of the reproductive structures. This precise measurement of 0.4 cm across all recorded parameters highlights a standardized developmental process for the fruit during the plant's reproductive phase.

Fruit length max:

0.4 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Gynura bicolor 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 stem.

Stem

1. International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology

Chemicals

Gynura bicolor has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Dicaffeoylquinic acid, Hydroxycinnamic acid, benzoic acid, caffeic acid, ethanol.

Dicaffeoylquinic acid

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Hydroxycinnamic acid

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

benzoic acid

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

caffeic acid

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

ethanol

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

kaempferol

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

water

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Gynura bicolor has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include chikungunya virus.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations