Ligustrum delavayanum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ligustrum ionandrum
• Ligustrum delavayanum var. ionandrum
• Ligustrum prattii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Lamiales, it is classified under the family Oleaceae. Finally, it is specifically categorized under the genus Ligustrum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is specifically identified as being native to the South-Central region of China. Within this particular geographic zone, it thrives in the local ecosystems of the country. Its distribution is relatively localized, focusing primarily on these southern and central territories. Because of this specific range, researchers often look to these Chinese provinces to study its natural habitat. Consequently, understanding its presence in South-Central China is essential for mapping its overall environmental requirements.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ligustrum delavayanum is characterized by its distribution across significant altitudinal gradients, reflecting a specialized adaptation to diverse montane environments. This species occupies a broad vertical niche, with its presence recorded from a minimum elevation of 1,300 m AMSL to a maximum altitude of 3,500 m AMSL. Interestingly, while the recorded range spans these specific limits, the ecological data indicates a mean elevational presence of 5,003 m AMSL, suggesting that the plant thrives in high-altitude, specialized microclimates that may extend into extreme alpine zones beyond the standard range limits. This distribution pattern implies that the plant is well-suited to the unique temperature regimes, UV exposure, and soil compositions found in high-elevation ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

3500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

5003 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Ligustrum delavayanum is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist across multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit and ecological positioning, it exhibits a dual classification of life forms, functioning as both a phanerophyte, where its buds are borne high on woody stems above the soil surface, and a nanophanerophyte, indicating a more compact growth form where the stem remains relatively short.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ligustrum delavayanum is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently and does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting rather than being a climber, maintaining a sturdy structural habit. In terms of stature, it exhibits significant variation in height, ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 4 meters, with an average plant height of approximately 2.5 meters.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Plant height mean:

2.5 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ligustrum delaavayanum is characterized by its efficient carbon fixation via the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy for plants in its ecological niche. The plant's vegetative morphology is defined by its leaf dimensions, which play a crucial role in gas exchange and light interception. The leaves exhibit a variable size range, with lengths spanning from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 4 cm, maintaining an average length of 2.5 cm. Complementing this, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 0.6 cm and a maximum of 1.5 cm, resulting in a mean leaf width of 1.05 cm. These morphological parameters indicate a specialized leaf structure optimized for the energetic requirements of its C3 metabolic processes.

Leaf length max:

4 cm

Leaf length mean:

2.5 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

1.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

1.05 cm

Leaf width min:

0.6 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ligustrum delavayanum is characterized by the development of inflorescences and the subsequent production of small fleshy fruits. The inflorescences exhibit a variable length, ranging from a minimum of 0.01 m to a maximum of 0.055 m. Following pollination, the plant produces fruits that vary significantly in dimensions; the fruit length typically ranges from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 0.9 cm, with an average length of 0.7 cm. Similarly, the fruit width shows considerable variation, with measurements spanning from a minimum of 0.4 cm to a maximum of 0.7 cm, maintaining an average width of 0.55 cm.

Fruit length max:

0.9 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.7 cm

Fruit length min:

0.5 cm

Fruit width max:

0.7 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.55 cm

Fruit width min:

0.4 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.055 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.01 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ligustrum delavayanum has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-alpha-Hydroxyursolic acid, Acteoside, BETA-SITOSTEROL, Oleanic acid.

2-alpha-Hydroxyursolic acid

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

Acteoside

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

Oleanic acid

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

Preparations

Ligustrum delavayanum has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts.

Extracts

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR