Chinese-quinine

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese-quinine
• fever-flower
• Anti-febrile Dichroa (Chinese Quinine)

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Callicarpa leveilleana
• Cianitis chinensis
• Cianitis sylvatica
• Dichroa pubescens
• Adamia chinensis
• Adamia sylvatica
• Dichroa febrifuga
• Dichroa febrifuga var. glabra
• Dichroa henryi
• Dichroa latifolia
• Dichroa schumanniana
• Dichroa parviflora
• Dichroa sylvatica
• Dichroa pentandra
• Dichroa philippinensis
• Dichroa cyanitis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Cornales, it is a member of the family Hydrangeaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Hydrangea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across several distinct regions of East Asia. In China, its range extends through the South-Central and North-Central territories. It is also frequently found within the Southeast region of the country. Furthermore, the species can be located in the high-altitude areas of Tibet. Finally, its distribution reaches the island of Taiwan within Eastern Asia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hydrangea febrifuga is characterized by its distribution within specific montane environments, where it thrives across a defined altitudinal gradient. This species is primarily found in high-altitude habitats, occupying an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 900 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 2400 m AMSL. Within this vertical span, the plant adapts to the varying climatic conditions, moisture levels, and soil compositions typical of mid-to-high mountain ecosystems. The specific niche it occupies within this 1500-meter elevation window dictates its interaction with local microclimates, influencing its growth patterns and availability within its natural mountain habitats.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

900 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Hydrangea febrifuga is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem over multiple growing seasons. It exhibits a complex architectural life form, categorized both as a phanerophyte due to its woody structure and as a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its specific growth habit and stature. Regarding its foliage patterns, the plant is classified as evergreen, maintaining its leaves throughout the year rather than shedding them seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hydrangea febrifuga is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as both a shrub and a tree. It typically reaches a plant height of approximately 2 meters, with a mean and maximum height both recorded at 2 m. In terms of its climbing habit, the plant is classified as self-supporting, rather than being an obligatory or facultative liana or vine. It functions as an independent organism, meaning it is not a parasite, and it maintains a terrestrial lifestyle rather than being an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hydrangea febriifuga is characterized by complex metabolic processes primarily focused on the synthesis and regulation of bioactive secondary metabolites, such as various glycosides and phenolic compounds, which serve defensive and adaptive functions. Its nutrient acquisition strategy relies on the uptake of essential elements from the soil via its root system, yet it lacks the specialized symbiotic mechanisms required for biological nitrogen fixation. Specifically, regarding its capacity for nitrogen assimilation through symbiotic bacteria, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer (trait_1: Nitrogen fixer, trait_2: Nitrogen_fix_1, trait_value: no, trait_units: yes, no). Consequently, its growth and physiological maintenance are entirely dependent on the availability of inorganic nitrogen sources, such as nitrates and ammonium, present in the substrate. The plant's water regulation and photosynthetic efficiency are typical of the Hydrangeaceae family, utilizing transpiration and stomatal conductance to manage gas exchange and thermal stability within its cellular structures.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

Reproduction in Hydrangea febrifuga involves complex mechanisms for seed dissemination, characterized by a multifaceted dispersal syndrome. While the species exhibits a primary tendency toward being zoochorous, where animals play a role in moving seeds, its reproductive strategy is actually quite versatile and encompasses several other modes of movement. Specifically, the plant utilizes anemochoous approach for wind-driven dispersal and hydrochorous methods for transport via water. Furthermore, the reproductive cycle includes autochorous elements, where seeds are released through internal plant mechanisms, and often demonstrates an unspecialized dispersal pattern that allows it to utilize various environmental vectors to ensure colonization in diverse habitats.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hydrangea febrifuga 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 root.

Root

1. Acta pharmacologica Sinica

Chemicals

Hydrangea febrifuga has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Febrifugine, Isofebrifugine.

Febrifugine

1. Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM

Isofebrifugine

1. Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM

Activities

Hydrangea febrifuga has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial.

Antimalarial

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Hydrangea febrifuga has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include dichroa root.

Dichroa root

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR