Ligularia vellerea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Senecillis vellerea
• Senecio vellereus

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Ligularia vellerea, belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae and the genus Ligularia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Ligularia vellerea, exhibits a specific and localized geographical distribution. Its natural habitat is primarily concentrated within the regional landscapes of China. More specifically, the species can be found throughout the South-Central part of the country. This restricted range suggests that the plant thrives under the particular climatic conditions found in these provinces. Consequently, its presence is a notable feature of the botanical diversity in South-Central China.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ligularia vellerea is defined by its specialized adaptation to high-altitude environments, where it thrives within a specific vertical distribution. This species is primarily found in montane and alpine zones, occupying an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 2,100 m AMSL. It ascends to a maximum altitude of 4,600 m AMSL, demonstrating a significant capacity to withstand the physiological stresses associated with extreme elevations, such as intense UV radiation and lower atmospheric pressure. On average, the plant is most commonly situated at a mean elevation of 3,350 m AMSL, a positioning that suggests it is optimally suited to the specific climatic conditions and soil compositions found within this middle-to-high altitude belt.

Elevational range max:

4600 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

3350 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2100 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Ligularia vellerea is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it undergoes recurring cycles of vegetative growth and dormancy, typically establishing a stable root system that supports its development over several years. This life cycle enables the plant to withstand seasonal environmental shifts and accumulate enough energy reserves to support robust flowering and reproductive efforts during its active periods.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ligularia vellerea is characterized by its growth form as a herb and a forb, exhibiting a non-woody structure throughout its development. It does not function as a climber, maintaining a self-supporting habit that allows it to stand independently within its habitat.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ligularia vellerea is characterized by significant morphological variability in its foliar structures, which play a critical role in its photosynthetic capacity and environmental adaptation. The leaves exhibit a wide range of dimensions, with lengths varying from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 15 cm, maintaining a mean leaf length of 8.75 cm. This longitudinal development is complemented by a distinct lateral spread, where leaf widths range from a minimum of 3.5 cm to a maximum of 12 cm. These fluctuations in leaf surface area suggest a highly plastic physiological response to light availability and moisture levels, allowing the plant to optimize gas exchange and transpiration rates through its diverse leaf morphology.

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length mean:

8.75 cm

Leaf length min:

2.5 cm

Leaf width max:

12 cm

Leaf width min:

3.5 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ligularia vellerea is characterized by the development of inflorescences that vary in size, typically ranging from a minimum length of 0.045 m to a maximum length of 0.15 m. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits with specific dimensional constraints. These fruits exhibit a minimum length of 0.5 cm and can reach a maximum length of 0.65 cm, resulting in an average fruit length of approximately 0.575 cm.

Fruit length max:

0.65 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.575 cm

Fruit length min:

0.5 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.15 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.045 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ligularia vellerea has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4-Hydroxyacetophenone, BETA-SITOSTEROL, Daucosterin, STIGMASTEROL, TIGLIC ACID.

4-Hydroxyacetophenone

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

BETA-SITOSTEROL

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

Daucosterin

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

STIGMASTEROL

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

TIGLIC ACID

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

Umbelliferone

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