Lysimachia fortunei

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lysimachia fortunei f. suboppositifolia
• Lysimachia fortunei var. pubescens
• Lysimachia chikungensis
• Lysimachia fortunei var. longibracteata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Ericales, it is further categorized into the family Primulaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is established within the genus Lysimachia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution that spans across several distinct regions. In Europe, its presence is noted within Middle Europe, specifically in Germany. Moving eastward, the species can be found throughout the Caucasus region, particularly in the Transcaucasus. Its range extends significantly into China, where it inhabits the South-Central areas. Furthermore, the plant is widely distributed across China Southeast and the island of Hainan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lysimachia fortunei is characterized by its ability to colonize diverse environments, including disturbed areas such as crop fields, where it can establish itself amidst agricultural activities. It thrives in habitats that offer consistent moisture and partial to full shade, often forming dense, spreading mats through its creeping rhizomatous growth habit. This plant is highly adaptable to various soil types, though it shows a preference for nutrient-rich, loamy soils that maintain steady hydration. Its capacity to spread vegetatively allows it to compete effectively with other groundcover species, particularly in transitional zones between cultivated lands and woodland edges.

Habitat :

crop fields

Life history

The life history of Lysimachia fortunei is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish robust presence in its habitat. Throughout its life cycle, it utilizes a spreading growth habit to colonize soil surfaces, often regenerating via rhizomes or stolons to ensure survival and expansion. While the species is primarily perennial, its life cycle exhibits a degree of variability in how it establishes itself, moving from initial seedling development to a mature, self-sustaining state that can endure seasonal transitions. This perennial nature enables the plant to accumulate energy reserves in its underground structures, facilitating consistent vegetative growth and periodic flowering patterns year after year.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lysimachia fortunei is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, presenting a herbaceous structure that lacks woody tissue. This plant functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, as it maintains a primarily terrestrial lifestyle. It is classified as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber, liana, or vine, and it does not require external support to maintain its posture. In terms of stature, the plant is relatively low-growing, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 0.5 m. While its habitat can vary, it is noted to exist across aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial environments.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lysimachia fortunei is characterized by its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and environmental adaptations. The plant's vegetative structure is defined by significant morphological variation in its foliage, with leaf dimensions reflecting a wide range of development. The leaves typically exhibit a mean length of 6.25 cm, though they can range from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 11 cm. Similarly, the leaf width demonstrates notable variability, with a mean width of 1.175 cm, spanning from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm. These morphological traits, combined with its C3 metabolism, underpin the plant's resource acquisition and growth patterns.

Leaf length max:

11 cm

Leaf length mean:

6.25 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

2.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

1.175 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lysimachia fortunei is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and the development of small, delicate fruit and seed structures. The plant typically begins its flowering period in July and continues through September. During this reproductive phase, it produces inflorescences that vary in length, ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.2 m. The resulting fruits are quite small, with a mean length of 0.2125 cm and a mean width of 0.2125 cm; however, they can reach a maximum dimension of 0.25 cm in both length and width, while maintaining a minimum dimension of 0.2 cm for width and 0.2 cm for length. The seeds produced are exceptionally lightweight, exhibiting a mean mass of approximately 0.000446667 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.00015 g to a maximum of 0.00098 g.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length max:

0.25 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.2125 cm

Fruit length min:

0.2 cm

Fruit width max:

0.25 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.2125 cm

Fruit width min:

0.2 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.2 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.1 m

Seed mass max:

0.00098 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000446667 g

Seed mass min:

0.00015 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lysimachia fortunei has 3 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, rhizome, stem.

Leaf

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

Rhizome

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

Stem

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

Chemicals

Lysimachia fortunei has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1-Pentatriacontanol, beta-Stigmasterol, kaempferol, palmitic acid, quercetin.

1-Pentatriacontanol

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

beta-Stigmasterol

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

kaempferol

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

palmitic acid

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

quercetin

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

Preparations