Hymenidium hookeri

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aulacospermum hookeri
• Aulacospermum hookeri var. thomsonii
• Pleurospermum hookeri var. thomsonii
• Pleurospermum wolffianum
• Pleurospermum hookeri var. haidongense
• Pleurospermum hookeri

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Apiales and family Apiaceae, it is classified under the genus Hymeniidion.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several distinct regions of Asia. In Western Asia, its presence is recorded within the borders of Afghanistan. Moving towards the east, it can be found in China, specifically in the South-Central and Tibet regions. The species is also well-documented within the Indian Subcontinent, particularly in the East Himalaya. Additionally, its habitat extends to the mountainous terrains of Nepal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hymeniidium hookeri is defined by its specialized adaptation to high-altitude alpine environments, where it thrives within a specific vertical distribution. This species is primarily found in montane and subalpine zones, occupying a precise elevational range that begins at a minimum of 3300 m AMSL. Its presence is most characteristic around a mean elevation of 4000 m AMSL, indicating a strong preference for the harsh, high-mountain climatic conditions typical of these altitudes. The species reaches its upper ecological limit at a maximum elevation of 4900 m AMSL, situating it within the extreme high-altitude niches of its habitat.

Elevational range max:

4900 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

4000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

3300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Hymeniadium hookeri is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist in its marine environment over multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it avoids the complete die-back seen in annuals, instead maintaining its structural integrity and functional capacity throughout successive years. This prolonged lifecycle enables the plant to establish stable populations within its ecological niche, undergoing repeated cycles of growth and reproductive phases. The ability to survive beyond a single year provides it with a competitive advantage in navigating seasonal fluctuations and ensuring long-term persistence within its habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hymeniidium hookeri is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. It functions as a terrestrial plant, growing directly from the ground rather than as an epiphyte. The species is self-supporting and does not exhibit climbing behavior. In terms of stature, the plant maintains a relatively low profile, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 0.4 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 0.3 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height mean:

0.3 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproductive process of Hymeniidium hookeri is characterized by specific morphological dimensions regarding its flowering and fruiting structures. The plant produces inflorescences that typically range in length from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.07 m. Following the flowering stage, the development of the fruit follows a consistent size pattern; the fruit length varies from a minimum of 0.3 cm to a maximum of 0.4 cm, with the average fruit length measured at approximately 0.35 cm.

Fruit length max:

0.4 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.35 cm

Fruit length min:

0.3 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.07 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.05 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Hymenidium hookeri has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Nobiletin, ferulic acid, isoliquiritigenin, licochalcone a.

Nobiletin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

ferulic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

isoliquiritigenin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

licochalcone a

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica