Liquidambar chingii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Semiliquidambar chingii
• Altingia chingii
• Altingia chingii var. parvifolia
• Semiliquidambar chingii var. longipes
• Semiliquidambar coriacea
• Semiliquidambar cathayensis
• Semiliquidambar cathayensis var. fukienensis
• Semiliquidambar cathayensis var. parvifolia

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Saxifragales, falling into the family Altingiaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Liquidambar.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Liquidambar chingii, exhibits a specific range of occurrence across East and Southeast Asia. Within China, its distribution is primarily concentrated in the South-Central regions. It can also be found throughout the Southeast portions of the country. Furthermore, the species extends its reach into the Indo-China peninsula. Specifically, Vietnam serves as a key geographical area where this medicinal plant is located.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Liquidambar chingii is characterized by a complex developmental cycle and distinct morphological shifts in foliage retention. As a perennial woody species, its growth patterns are heavily influenced by environmental conditions, which dictate its specific foliage strategy. While the species exhibits a degree of variability in its canopy density, its deciduousness is categorized by a spectrum that includes deciduous, evergreen, and variable traits. This variability means that while many individuals undergo a seasonal shedding of leaves, others may retain their foliage throughout much of the year depending on local climatic stability. The plant progresses through a lifecycle of establishing a robust root system and a spreading canopy, eventually reaching maturity where it produces resinous exudates and seeds through a seasonal reproductive cycle. This fluctuating approach to leaf retention serves as an adaptive mechanism, allowing the species to balance photosynthetic efficiency with survival in diverse ecological niches.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Morphology

The morphology of Liquidambar chingii is characterized by its growth form as a large, perennial tree. As a woody species, it develops a robust, lignified structure capable of significant height and diameter. Unlike many other forest species, it does not exhibit a climbing habit; it is not an obligatory, facultative, or self-supporting climber, but rather functions as a self-standing tree within its ecosystem.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Liquidambar chingii has 2 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf.

Root

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
2. Molecular biology reports
3. PeerJ
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Leaf

1. Molecular biology reports
2. PeerJ

Chemicals

Liquidambar chingii has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, OLEANOLIC ACID, Terpenoids, 3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid, 4-hydroxyphenylacetate.

Flavonoids

1. PeerJ
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Fitoterapia
2. PeerJ

Terpenoids

1. Molecular biology reports
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid

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

4-hydroxyphenylacetate

1. Metabolites

Arjunolic acid

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

Betulonic acid

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

Cyclic peptides

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Daucosterol

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

Fatty acids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Liquidambar chingii has 3 reported preparations identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethyl acetate part of extracts, extracts, petrol ether part of extracts.

Ethyl acetate part of extracts

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

Extracts

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

Petrol ether part of extracts

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