Altai Leopard-plant

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Altai Leopard-plant

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Senecillis altaica
• Senecio altaicus

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered as Asterales and placed in the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Ligularia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found across the vast landscapes of northern and central Asia. In the Siberian region, its distribution includes the Altai mountains and the Tuva Republic. Its range extends southward into Central Asia, specifically within the borders of Kazakhstan. Moving eastward, the species is well-established in the Xinjiang province of China. Finally, its geographical footprint encompasses the territory of Mongolia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ligularia altaica is characterized by its preference for diverse high-altitude environments, spanning a wide range of landscapes including forests, meadows, mountains, and riparian zones near rivers. This species thrives within a specific altitudinal gradient, typically found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 1,060 m AMSL to a maximum of 2,000 m AMSL. On average, the plant occupies a mid-range elevation of approximately 1,530 m AMSL, where the combination of mountain terrain and moisture-rich habitats like meadows and riverbanks provides the necessary conditions for its growth and distribution.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1530 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1060 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, meadows, mountains, rivers

Life history

The life history of Ligularia altaica is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a perennial, it does not complete its life cycle in a single year but instead undergoes cycles of seasonal growth, typically emerging from underground structures to establish foliage during the warmer months before entering a period of dormancy. This life cycle enables the species to build energy reserves in its root system, which facilitates survival through unfavorable conditions and supports subsequent reproductive efforts in later years. Through this multi-year developmental strategy, the plant can establish a stable presence within its habitat, contributing to the long-term continuity of its population.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ligularia altaica is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, functioning as a self-supporting forb rather than a climber. This plant exhibits a non-woody structure and grows as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 1 m. Regarding its preferred habitat and moisture requirements, the species displays versatility, categorized across aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial environments.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ligularia altaica is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and specialized seed dispersal mechanisms. The flowering period begins in May and continues through August, providing a distinct temporal window for pollination and subsequent seed development. Once the seeds are mature, the plant utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning the seeds are primarily dispersed by wind. This anemochorous strategy is consistent across its dispersal modalities, allowing the plant to effectively spread its progeny through air currents to colonize new habitats.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Aug

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ligularia altaica has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5-Hydroxybenzofuran-2(3H)-one, BETA-SITOSTEROL, Ergosterol peroxide, Lupeol, OLEANOLIC ACID.

5-Hydroxybenzofuran-2(3H)-one

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

BETA-SITOSTEROL

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

Ergosterol peroxide

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

Lupeol

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

OLEANOLIC ACID

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