pubescent holly

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• pubescent holly
• Downy Holly

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Aquifoliales, falling within the family Aquifoliaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is established under the genus Ilex.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several key regions in East Asia. Within mainland China, it is primarily found throughout the South-Central territories. Its presence also extends to the Southeast regions of the country. Additionally, the species can be located on the island of Hainan. Finally, its range reaches into Eastern Asia, specifically inhabiting Taiwan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Ilex pubescens is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. Throughout its lifespan, it maintains a consistent foliage profile as an evergreen species, retaining its leaves year-round rather than shedding them seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ilex pubescens is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, exhibiting a robust and self-supporting structure. It is a terrestrial species, functioning as an independent organism that does not rely on a host as a parasite or an epiphyte, instead establishing itself firmly in soil environments. Its development is defined by woody stems that provide the necessary rigidity to maintain its stature without the need for climbing or liana-like behaviors.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ilex pubescens is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Its vegetative structure features elliptic leaf forms that are defined by a toothed leaf margin, contributing to its unique morphological profile. Furthermore, the plant's physiological development lacks the presence of leaf thorns and does not possess leaf spines, maintaining a smooth structural integrity along its foliage.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf margin :

toothed

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ilex pubescens is characterized by specific seed morphological and dispersal traits. The plant produces seeds with a highly uniform mass, where both the mean, minimum, and maximum recorded values are consistently 0.0013 g. In terms of its reproductive strategy, the species utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to facilitate the movement and spread of its seeds within its environment.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Seed mass mean:

0.0013 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ilex pubescens has 1 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 root.

Root

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Fitoterapia
3. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Ilex pubescens has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ilexsaponin A1, (+)-Medioresinol di-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, (-)-Olivil-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, Flavonoids, Glycosides.

Ilexsaponin A1

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

(+)-Medioresinol di-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside

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

(-)-Olivil-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside

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

Flavonoids

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

Glycosides

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

Hexadecanoic acid

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

Hyperoside

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

Ilexgenin A

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Ilexoside O

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Ilexsaponin B1

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Activities

Ilex pubescens has 1 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidepressant.

Antidepressant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Ilex pubescens has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cardiovascular diseases, stroke, burn, depression, hemiplegia.

Cardiovascular diseases

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Stroke

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Burn

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Depression

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hemiplegia

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Peripheral vascular diseases

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Thromboangiitis obliterans

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Ilex pubescens has 4 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include IleX pubescens extract, petroleum extracts, petroleum-soluble fraction of the acidic hydrolysate of the water extract, roots.

Ilex pubescens extract

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Petroleum extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Petroleum-soluble fraction of the acidic hydrolysate of the water extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Roots

1. Fitoterapia