Andrachne colchica

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• китайски лептопус

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Andrachne yunnanensis
• Andrachne capillipes
• Leptopus capillipes
• Flueggea capillipes
• Andrachne bodinieri
• Andrachne hirsuta
• Andrachne lolonum
• Andrachne montana
• Andrachne chinensis var. pubescens
• Arachne capillipes
• Arachne chinensis
• Andrachne nana
• Arachne colchica
• Andrachne chinensis
• Arachne montana
• Arachne hirsuta
• Andrachne capillipes var. pubescens
• Andrachne colchica
• Leptopus lolonum
• Leptopus montanus
• Leptopus nanus
• Leptopus hirsutus
• Leptopus chinensis var. hirsutus
• Leptopus chinensis var. pubescens
• Leptopus colchicus
• Leptopus yunnanensis

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 Malpighiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Phyllanthaceae and falls under the genus Leptopus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across Eurasia. In the Caucasus region, its presence is noted in both the North Caucasus and the Transcaucasus areas. Moving into Western Asia, the species can be found growing within the borders of Iran. Its range extends significantly into China, where it inhabits the South-Central provinces. Additionally, the plant is documented as being present on the island of Hainan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Leptopus chinensis is characterized by its preference for specific geological substrates and a defined altitudinal distribution. This species is typically found colonizing limestone formations and stony places, suggesting a specialized adaptation to rocky, well-drained terrains. Its vertical distribution within its ecosystem spans an elevational range from a minimum of 500 m AMSL to a maximum of 1500 m AMSL, maintaining an average elevation of approximately 750 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

750 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Habitat :

limestone, stony places

Life history

The life history of Leptopus chinensis is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its growth habit and structural organization, it exhibits a dual life form profile, functioning as both a phanerophyte, where its stems extend above the ground level, and a nanophanerophyte, indicating that its woody or permanent parts are maintained relatively close to the soil surface.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Leptopus chinensis is characterized by a woody shrub growth form that functions as a self-supporting plant. It maintains an erect shoot orientation and grows as an independent, terrestrial organism rather than an epiphyte or parasite. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits variable height dimensions, with a minimum height of 0.6 m and a maximum height reaching 0.8 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 3 m within its specific ecological context.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.8 m

Plant height mean:

3 m

Plant height min:

0.6 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of the foliage in Leptopus chinensis are defined by a distinct range of morphological dimensions that facilitate its photosynthetic processes. The leaves exhibit significant variability in size, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 5 cm, maintaining an average leaf length of approximately 3 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation, the width of the leaves fluctuates between a minimum of 0.4 cm and a maximum of 2.5 cm. These dimensional parameters suggest a flexible leaf architecture that allows the plant to optimize light interception and gas exchange within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

5 cm

Leaf length mean:

3 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

2.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.4 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Leptopus chinensis is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle and the development of small fruits. The plant typically enters its flowering period in May, with the blooming phase continuing through June, although the timing can be variable. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits that exhibit specific dimensional characteristics; these fruits maintain a mean width of 0.7 cm, with individual measurements ranging from a minimum of 0.6 cm to a maximum of 0.8 cm in width.

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit width max:

0.8 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.7 cm

Fruit width min:

0.6 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Leptopus chinensis has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3beta-o-trans-coumaroylbetulinic acid, Compound 1, betulinic acid.

3beta-o-trans-coumaroylbetulinic acid

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

Compound 1

1. Bioorganic chemistry

betulinic acid

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

Preparations

Leptopus chinensis has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include whole plants.

Whole plants

1. Bioorganic chemistry