Ligularia atroviolacea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cremanthodium atroviolaceum
• Senecillis atroviolacea
• Senecio atroviolaceus
• Senecio orotrephes

Sources: Wikidata

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 falls under the order Asterales and is a member of the Asteraceae family. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Ligularia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Ligularia atroviolacea, exhibits a specific geographical range within East Asia. Its distribution is primarily concentrated within the nation of China. More specifically, it is found inhabiting the regions of South-Central China. This localized occurrence suggests that the species thrives under the particular climatic conditions of this area. Consequently, the plant remains a characteristic element of the regional flora in these southern provinces.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ligularia atroviolacea is characterized by its preference for high-altitude environments, typically inhabiting alpine or subalpine zones. This species thrives within a specific vertical distribution, maintaining an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 3000 m AMSL to a maximum of 4000 m AMSL. Throughout its natural habitat, the plant maintains an average elevation of approximately 3500 m AMSL, suggesting an adaptation to the unique climatic conditions, such as lower temperatures and high solar radiation, typical of these high-mountain ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

4000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

3500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

3000 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Ligularia atroviolacea is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its habitat through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial, the plant does not complete its life cycle in a single year but rather establishes a long-term presence, often developing robust root systems that facilitate survival during dormant periods. This life cycle enables the plant to accumulate sufficient energy reserves to support repeated flowering events and structural growth over several years, rather than relying on the rapid, single-season reproductive strategies seen in annuals or biennials. Through this enduring growth pattern, the species maintains stability within its ecological niche, cycling through periods of vegetative expansion and seasonal reproductive maturity.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ligularia atroviolacea is characterized by a growth form classified as a herb, appearing as a herbaceous plant rather than a shrub, tree, or graminoid. It possesses a non-woody structure, lacking significant lignification in its primary stems. Regarding its climbing habit, the plant is categorized as self-supporting, meaning it does not rely on external structures through obligatory or facultative climbing mechanisms to maintain its upright posture.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of Ligularia atroviolacea are significantly defined by its foliar morphology, which plays a critical role in its metabolic processes and light interception capabilities. The plant exhibits a distinct range in leaf dimensions, with the leaf length typically averaging 7 cm, though it can vary from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 9 cm. Parallel to this longitudinal variability, the leaf width demonstrates a similar physiological breadth, maintaining a mean width of 5.25 cm. The structural capacity of the foliage also fluctuates between a minimum width of 3.5 cm and a maximum width of 7 cm, indicating a dynamic morphological adaptation that likely influences the plant's transpiration rates and photosynthetic efficiency.

Leaf length max:

9 cm

Leaf length mean:

7 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

7 cm

Leaf width mean:

5.25 cm

Leaf width min:

3.5 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ligularia atroviolacea culminates in the development of its fruit, which exhibits a highly consistent morphological profile. The reproductive structures produce fruits that maintain a uniform size, characterized by a mean length of 0.5 cm. This specific measurement is strictly maintained throughout the development process, as both the minimum and maximum fruit lengths are recorded at exactly 0.5 cm, indicating a lack of significant size variation within the fruit population.

Fruit length max:

0.5 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ligularia atroviolacea has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Activities

Ligularia atroviolacea has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Cytotoxic

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Preparations

Ligularia atroviolacea has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include roots.

Roots

1. Chemistry & biodiversity