spurred gentian

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• spurred gentian

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Halenia elliptica f. alboflavida
• Swertia peloria
• Tetragonanthus centrostemma
• Halenia vaniotii

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 Gentianales, it is classified under the family Gentianaceae. Its specific taxonomic placement is defined by the genus Halenia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. Within Central Asia, it can be found growing in both Kazakhstan and Kirgizstan. Its presence extends significantly into China, specifically throughout the South-Central territories. Furthermore, the species is documented in the northern reaches of China, including the Inner Mongolia region. Finally, its habitat reaches into the Manchuria area, completing its wide regional range.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Haleania elliptica is characterized by its presence in high-altitude meadow environments, where it thrives within specific altitudinal gradients. This species is typically found inhabiting meadows, which provides the necessary environmental conditions for its growth and development. Its distribution spans a significant vertical range, with a minimum elevation of 1,300 m AMSL and a maximum elevation reaching up to 4,900 m AMSL. On average, the plant is situated at a mean elevation of 1,900 m AMSL, reflecting its adaptation to the unique climatic and soil conditions found within these montane and subalpine ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

4900 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1300 m AMSL

Habitat :

meadows

Life history

The life history of Haleania elliptica is characterized by a variable lifecycle, meaning its duration and reproductive patterns can shift depending on environmental stability and resource availability. As a plant with a variable developmental strategy, it may function as an annual, completing its entire reproductive cycle within a single growing season, or persist as a perennial, establishing long-term presence in its habitat through multiple years. This adaptability allows the species to respond dynamically to seasonal shifts and ecological pressures, ensuring survival through diverse climatic conditions.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Haleenia elliptica is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, which exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit. Functioning as a liana or vine, the plant maintains a terrestrial existence rather than an epiphytic one. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.4 m to a maximum of 0.6 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height min:

0.4 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Halenia elliptica is characterized by a specific phenological cycle and distinct seed morphology. The flowering period for this species is concentrated in July, marking a narrow window for pollination and subsequent fruit development. Following the flowering stage, the plant produces seeds with highly specific mass characteristics; the mean seed mass is recorded at approximately 0.0465925 g. However, the individual seed weights exhibit a degree of variance, with the minimum recorded seed mass being 0.00042 g and the maximum reaching 0.00075 g.

Flowering time :

Jul

Seed mass max:

0.00075 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0465925 g

Seed mass min:

0.00042 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Halenia elliptica has 3 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, stem.

Leaf

1. Microscopy research and technique

Root

1. Microscopy research and technique

Stem

1. Microscopy research and technique

Chemicals

Halenia elliptica has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1-Hydroxy-2,3,5-trimethoxyxanthone.

1-Hydroxy-2,3,5-trimethoxyxanthone

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Halenia elliptica has 4 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiaging, Free-Radical Scavenging, Hepatoprotective.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Carbohydrate polymers

Antiaging

1. Carbohydrate polymers

Free-Radical Scavenging

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hepatoprotective

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Halenia elliptica has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include aging, hepatitis, liver diseases, virus hepatitis.

Aging

1. Carbohydrate polymers

Hepatitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Liver diseases

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Virus hepatitis

1. Evolutionary bioinformatics online

Preparations

Halenia elliptica has 4 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ME, crude polysaccharide, ethyl acetate extract, methanolic extract.

Me

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Crude polysaccharide

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Ethyl acetate extract

1. Zhongguo yi xue ke xue yuan xue bao. Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae

Methanolic extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology