Lantau Star-anise

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Lantau Star-anise

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Illicium jiadifengpi f. minwanense
• Illicium minwanense
• Illicium wuyishanum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Illicium angustisepalum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Austrobaileyales. Furthermore, it is a member of the family Schisandraceae and falls under the genus Illicium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found in a very specific geographic region. Its natural habitat is restricted to the southeastern parts of China. Within this territory, it thrives in the unique environmental conditions of the Southeast. Because of this limited range, the species is considered to have a localized distribution. Consequently, its presence is a defining characteristic of the southeastern Chinese landscape.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Illicium angustisepalum is characterized by its perennial, woody habit, forming robust structures typical of the Schisandraceae family. The plant exhibits a woody growth pattern, with stems and branches that undergo significant secondary thickening to provide structural support. The foliage consists of simple, alternate leaves that are typically coriaceous (leathery) in texture, often possessing an elliptical to lanceolate shape with entire margins. The floral morphology is distinguished by its relatively narrow sepals, as suggested by its specific epithet, which surround the reproductive organs during anthesis. The reproductive structures include a characteristic follicle-type fruit that develops from a woody receptacle, often appearing in clusters. The overall architecture of the plant reflects a stable, lignified framework that supports its dense canopy and reproductive development.

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Illicium angustisepalum has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-8,11,13,15-Abietatetraene, (1R)-Minwanenone, (2S)-Hydroxy-6-deoxypseudoanisatin, 1alpha-Hydroxy-6-deoxypseudoanisatin, 3-Oxopseudoanisatin.

(+)-8,11,13,15-Abietatetraene

1. Journal of natural products

(1R)-Minwanenone

1. Journal of natural products

(2S)-Hydroxy-6-deoxypseudoanisatin

1. Journal of natural products

1alpha-Hydroxy-6-deoxypseudoanisatin

1. Journal of natural products

3-Oxopseudoanisatin

1. Journal of natural products

7-O-Methylpseudomajucin

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Illicium angustisepalum has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aerial parts, methanol extract.

Aerial parts

1. Journal of natural products

Methanol extract

1. Journal of natural products