Ligularia intermedia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ligularia sibirica var. stenoloba
• Ligularia intermedia var. stenopetala
• Ligularia sinica
• Senecillis intermedia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified in the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Ligularia, specifically as the species Ligularia intermedia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread geographical distribution across several distinct regions of China. It can be found growing within the diverse landscapes of China South-Central. Additionally, the species is present in the northern territories of Inner Mongolia and Manchuria. Its range also extends into the areas classified as China North-Central. Finally, the plant is documented to occur throughout China Southeast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ligularia intermedia is defined by its broad altitudinal adaptability, allowing it to inhabit a diverse range of montane and sub-montane environments. This species exhibits a significant vertical distribution, spanning from low-lying areas at a minimum elevation of 120 m AMSL to high-altitude habitats reaching a maximum of 3400 m AMSL. Throughout this vast range, the plant thrives most consistently at a mean elevation of approximately 1760 m AMSL, suggesting that its optimal ecological niche is situated within mid-elevation zones. This wide elevational breadth indicates a high capacity for tolerating varying atmospheric pressures, temperature gradients, and moisture regimes found across different mountain strata.

Elevational range max:

3400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1760 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

120 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Ligularia intermedia is characterized by its classification as a perennial, meaning it lives for more than two years and undergoes repeated seasonal growth cycles. As a perennial species, it establishes a persistent root system that allows the plant to survive dormant periods and regrow during favorable growing seasons. This life cycle supports its ability to occupy specific ecological niches where it can establish long-term presence through vegetative persistence and seasonal flowering.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ligularia intermedia is characterized by a growth form classified as a herb and a forb, exhibiting a non-woody structure throughout its vegetative parts. Unlike climbing species, it does not function as a climber and lacks any self-supporting climbing mechanisms, such as being obligatory or facultative; instead, it maintains its upright or spreading stature as a typical herbaceous plant.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ligularia intermedia is characterized by significant morphological variation in its foliar structures, which play a critical role in its photosynthetic capacity and metabolic regulation. The leaf dimensions exhibit a broad range of development, with leaf lengths typically maintaining a mean of 12 cm, though they can fluctuate from a minimum of 8 cm to a maximum of 16 cm. This variability in longitudinal growth is complemented by substantial lateral expansion, as evidenced by leaf widths that range from a minimum of 12 cm to a maximum of 23.5 cm. Such expansive leaf surfaces facilitate efficient light interception and gas exchange, supporting the plant's physiological requirements for biomass production and energy storage.

Leaf length max:

16 cm

Leaf length mean:

12 cm

Leaf length min:

8 cm

Leaf width max:

23.5 cm

Leaf width min:

12 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ligularia intermedia is characterized by the development of inflorescences that typically range in length from a minimum of 0.22 m to a maximum of 0.25 m. Following the flowering stage, the plant produces fruits that exhibit a highly consistent size, with a recorded length of 0.5 cm, representing the minimum, mean, and maximum measurements.

Fruit length max:

0.5 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.25 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.22 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ligularia intermedia has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Isopetasin, Ligudentatol, Liguhodgsonal, Ligujapone, Lupeol.

Isopetasin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Ligudentatol

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Liguhodgsonal

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Ligujapone

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Lupeol

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Lupeol palmitate

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Petasin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica