Ixeris chinensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Youngia chinensis
• Chondrilla chinensis
• Ixeridium chinense
• Paraixeris chinensis
• Lactuca chinensis
• Prenanthes chinensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Ixeris, specifically as the species Ixeris chinensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the vast territories of Northern Asia. Within the expansive region of Siberia, it can be found in Buryatiya, Chita, and Irkutsk. Its range further extends into the remote northern reaches of Yakutiya. Additionally, the species is documented in the Russian Far East, specifically within the Amur region. Together, these locations define the primary geographical footprint of Ixeris chinensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ixeris chinensis is characterized by its ability to thrive in diverse and challenging landscapes, ranging from low-lying areas to high-altitude environments. It is commonly found inhabiting mountains, sandy terrains, and steppe ecosystems, demonstrating a versatile adaptation to varying soil compositions and open landscapes. The species exhibits a broad vertical distribution, with an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 100 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 4000 m AMSL. Across its natural range, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1501.33 m AMSL, reflecting its capacity to occupy a wide spectrum of altitudinal niches.

Elevational range max:

4000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1501.33333333333 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Habitat :

mountains, sand, steppe

Life history

The life history of Ixeris chinensis is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, although its growth patterns can exhibit variability depending on environmental conditions and local ecological factors. As a perennial, the plant maintains a continuous life cycle, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its development in a single year. This enduring nature enables the plant to establish stable populations within its habitat, often re-emerging from its root systems to undergo repeated cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive flowering. While its life cycle is fundamentally perennial, the temporal aspects of its development can fluctuate, reflecting a biological plasticity that allows it to adapt to the specific seasonal rhythms of its ecosystem.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ixeris chinensis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, categorized as both a herb and a forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing behavior, such as acting as a liana or vine, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. In terms of its habitat and lifestyle, it is described as terrestrial, though it can exist in aquactic or semiaquatic environments, and it is not an epiphyte. The plant maintains a relatively low stature, with a height that ranges from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.5 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 0.24125 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.24125 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ixeris chinensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic efficiency and carbon fixation processes. The vegetative morphology is defined by rhomboid-shaped leaves that feature distinct toothed margins, serving as a key structural component of the plant. These leaves exhibit significant dimensional variability, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 15 cm, resulting in a calculated mean leaf length of approximately 8.08 cm. Similarly, the leaf width shows a wide range of development, starting from a minimum of 0.2 cm and reaching a maximum of 6 cm, with an average width of approximately 3.03 cm. Furthermore, the plant's physiological structure is notable for the complete absence of defensive epidermal adaptations, as it possesses neither leaf thorns nor leaf spines.

Leaf form :

rhomboid

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length mean:

8.08333333333333 cm

Leaf length min:

2.5 cm

Leaf margin :

toothed

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

6 cm

Leaf width mean:

3.03333333333333 cm

Leaf width min:

0.2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ixeris chinensis is characterized by a bisexual reproductive system, ensuring that individual flowers possess both male and female functional organs. The flowering period typically begins in June and concludes in July, though the timing can be variable throughout the year. Following pollination, the plant produces small fruits with specific dimensions: the fruit length ranges from a minimum of 0.22 cm to a maximum of 0.4 cm, with an average length of approximately 0.294 cm. The width of the fruit is notably slender, ranging from a minimum of 0.03 cm to a maximum of 0.3 cm, with a mean width of 0.09375 cm. Regarding the movement of its progeny, the plant utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning its seeds or fruits are primarily dispersed by the wind.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length max:

0.4 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.294 cm

Fruit length min:

0.22 cm

Fruit width max:

0.3 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.09375 cm

Fruit width min:

0.03 cm

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ixeris chinensis has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (11S)-10alpha-hydroxy-3-oxoguaia-4-eno-12,6alpha-lactone, ARABINOGALACTAN, CHINENSIOLIDE E, COMPOUND 6, Daucosterol.

(11S)-10alpha-hydroxy-3-oxoguaia-4-eno-12,6alpha-lactone

1. Journal of natural products

ARABINOGALACTAN

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

CHINENSIOLIDE E

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

COMPOUND 6

1. Phytochemistry

Daucosterol

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

Epiloliolide

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

Ixerisoside A

1. Phytochemistry

Lutein

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

Luteolin 7-O-beta-D-glucoside

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

Methyl 4-hydroxyphenylacetate

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

Activities

Ixeris chinensis has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hepatoprotective.

Hepatoprotective

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Ixeris chinensis has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include K562 cells, NAFLD, colitis, hepatitis, inflammation.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations