Litsea lancifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tetranthera lancifolia

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Laurales and the family Lauraceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Litsea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across Asia. In China, it is found within the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan territories. Moving into the Indian Subcontinent, its presence extends to the state of Assam. Furthermore, the species is also documented as growing in Bangladesh. Together, these locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive across varied subtropical landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Litsea lancifolia is characterized by a highly specific and specialized altitudinal niche. This species is strictly confined to a narrow elevational band, maintaining a consistent presence at an altitude of approximately 1000 m AMSL. The data indicates a lack of vertical variation in its habitat preference, as the minimum, mean, and maximum elevational ranges all converge at a singular point of 1000 m AMSL. This precise ecological requirement suggests that the plant is adapted to the specific microclimatic conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure, found exclusively at this particular height within its native landscape.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Litsea lancifolia is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated stems or branches, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit and survival strategy. It is consistently evergreen, retaining its foliage throughout the year without a significant deciduous period, which allows for continuous metabolic activity and energy production. This combination of a perennial lifecycle, a phanerophyte life form, and evergreen foliage enables the species to maintain a stable and persistent biological presence in its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Litsea lancifolia is characterized by its woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub. This species is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit parasitic behavior, remaining entirely independent in its growth. It is a terrestrial species, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variation in size, with an average height of approximately 3 m, though it can reach a maximum height of up to 12 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Plant height mean:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Litsea lancifolia is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its foliage, which play a critical role in its photosynthetic capacity and transpiration rates. The leaves exhibit a variable size range, with a mean leaf length of 7.5 cm, though they can reach a maximum length of 10 cm, while the minimum recorded length is 5 cm. The width of the leaves also shows significant physiological variation, maintaining a mean width of 3.45 cm, with measurements ranging from a minimum of 2.4 cm to a maximum of 4.5 cm. These structural parameters dictate the surface area available for light interception and gas exchange, influencing the plant's overall metabolic efficiency and adaptation to its environmental niche.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

7.5 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

4.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

3.45 cm

Leaf width min:

2.4 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Litsea lancifolia is characterized by the production of fruits that exhibit a highly consistent morphology. The fruit dimensions are uniform across the sampled population, maintaining a mean length of 1 cm and a mean width of 1 cm. This structural consistency is reflected in the minimum and maximum measurements, where both the fruit length and fruit width range strictly between a minimum of 1 cm and a maximum of 1 cm. Such standardized fruit sizing suggests a highly stable reproductive output for the species.

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit width max:

1 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Litsea lancifolia has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Dehydrodiisoeugenol, dihydrodehydrodiconifery alcohol, p-hydroxy benzoic acid, vanillin.

Dehydrodiisoeugenol

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

dihydrodehydrodiconifery alcohol

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

p-hydroxy benzoic acid

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

vanillin

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

Preparations

Litsea lancifolia has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include diethylyl ether extract.

Diethylyl ether extract

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