Illicium merrillianum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Illicium merrillianum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta. It is further classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling into the order Austrobaileyales. Finally, it is a member of the family Schisandraceae and is situated within the genus Illicium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range within Southeast Asia and East Asia. In China, its presence is primarily concentrated in the South-Central regions. Moving westward into the Indo-China peninsula, the species can also be found in Myanmar. These locations represent the known natural habitats where the species thrives. Consequently, its distribution is limited to these particular subtropical territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Illicium merrillianum is characterized by its preference for specific montane habitats, where it occupies a distinct altitudinal niche. This species is primarily found within a specialized elevational range, thriving at altitudes starting from a minimum of 1300 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 1740 m AMSL. This narrow vertical distribution suggests that the plant is adapted to the specific microclimatic conditions, such as temperature gradients, humidity levels, and atmospheric pressures, found within these mid-to-high elevation montane ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1740 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1300 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Illicium merrillianum is characterized by its specialized growth habit as a woody climber. Specifically, it functions as a liana or vine, exhibiting a self-supporting mechanism in its climbing architecture. This growth pattern is classified as both an obligatory and a facultative self-supporting climber, allowing the plant to utilize surrounding structures for upward progression while maintaining its own structural integrity.

Climber :

self-supporting

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Illicium merrillianum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 14-O-Benzoylfloridanolide, 2,10-Epoxy-3-dehydroxypseudoanisatin, 7-O-Methylpseudomajucin.

14-O-Benzoylfloridanolide

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

2,10-Epoxy-3-dehydroxypseudoanisatin

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

7-O-Methylpseudomajucin

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin