Kingdonia uniflora

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further organized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ranunculales, falling within the family Circaeasteraceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Kingdonia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is a rare species with a specific and limited range across East Asia. Its primary occurrence is found within the diverse landscapes of China. Specifically, the species is documented in the regions of China South-Central. Additionally, its habitat extends into the areas classified as China North-Central. This concentrated distribution highlights the unique environmental requirements necessary for its survival.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Kingdonia uniflora is characterized by its preference for high-altitude montane environments, where it occupies a specific niche within mountain ecosystems. This species is found across a distinct elevational gradient, typically thriving in cool, moist habitats that are common at significant heights. Its distribution is defined by a minimum elevation of 2750 m AMSL, reaching its peak presence at a mean elevation of 3325 m AMSL. The plant's upward limit extends to a maximum elevation of 3900 m AMSL, indicating its ability to tolerate the rigorous environmental conditions associated with alpine or subalpine zones.

Elevational range max:

3900 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

3325 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2750 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Kingdonia uniflora 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. As a long-lived herbaceous species, it establishes a stable presence within its forest floor habitat, utilizing its perennial nature to endure seasonal fluctuations. Its developmental strategy involves a continuous cycle of vegetative growth and seasonal dormancy, allowing it to accumulate energy reserves in its underground structures to support reproduction and regrowth in subsequent years. This perennial lifecycle enables the plant to maintain a consistent ecological presence, contributing to the stability of its specific microhabitat over extended periods.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Kingdonia uniflora is characterized by its growth form as a perennial herb and a non-woody herbaceous plant. Unlike many forest floor species, it does not exhibit climbing behavior, as it is a self-supporting organism that maintains its structure without the need for external support.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Kingdonia uniflora culminates in the development of specialized fruit structures characterized by specific morphological dimensions. The fruit exhibits a variable length, ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 1.3 cm, with an average length of approximately 1.15 cm. In terms of diameter, the fruit maintains a highly consistent width; the measurements show a minimum, mean, and maximum width all recorded at 0.22 cm, indicating a uniform thickness throughout its development.

Fruit length max:

1.3 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.15 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit width max:

0.22 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Kingdonia uniflora has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Wax.

Wax

1. Genes

Conditions

Kingdonia uniflora has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include hypoxia.

Hypoxia

1. Genes