plume-poppy

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• plume-poppy
• tree celandine
• Kelway's Coral Plume

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Bocconia microcarpa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Macleaya microcarpa, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Ranunculales and the family Papaveraceae. Ultimately, it is categorized under the genus Macleaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning across different regions of the world. In Middle Europe, its presence is documented specifically within Germany. Its range extends significantly into Asia, covering multiple distinct areas within China. Specifically, it can be found in the South-Central regions of China. Furthermore, the species is distributed throughout both North-Central and Southeast China.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Macleaya microcarpa is characterized by its specific distribution across varying altitudinal gradients, which dictates its habitat preferences and environmental interactions. This species thrives within a diverse vertical range, occupying niches from lower montane regions up to higher elevations. Specifically, its elevational range begins at a minimum of 450 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 1600 m AMSL. Within this span, the plant finds its optimal ecological conditions at a mean elevation of approximately 1025 m AMSL, a parameter that likely reflects the ideal balance of temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure required for its growth and reproductive success.

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1025 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

450 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Macleaya microcarpa is characterized by a growth form primarily categorized as a herb, exhibiting a non-woody structure throughout its development. It functions as a self-supporting climber, utilizing its vegetative structure to navigate its environment without the need for external hosts.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Macleaya microcarpa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The vegetative structure is defined by significant morphological variability in its foliage, specifically regarding leaf dimensions. The leaves exhibit a mean length of 9.5 cm, though they can range from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum length of 14 cm. Similarly, the width of the leaves shows substantial fluctuation, with a mean width of 8.5 cm, a minimum measurement of 5 cm, and a maximum width reaching 12 cm. This range in leaf surface area likely plays a critical role in the plant's gas exchange and light interception capabilities within its ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

14 cm

Leaf length mean:

9.5 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

12 cm

Leaf width mean:

8.5 cm

Leaf width min:

5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Macleaya microcarpa is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its reproductive structures and a specialized dispersal strategy. The plant produces inflorescences that vary in length, ranging from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 0.3 m. Following fertilization, the development of the fruit is highly consistent in size; the fruit exhibits a uniform dimension where both the length and width are measured at a mean, minimum, and maximum of 0.5 cm, resulting in a small, spherical or compact fruit structure. Regarding the movement of its progeny, the species utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to aid in the distribution of its seeds throughout its habitat.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit length max:

0.5 cm

Fruit width max:

0.5 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.3 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.15 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Macleaya microcarpa has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Allocryptopine, SANGUINARINE, chelerythrine, protopine.

Allocryptopine

1. PloS one

SANGUINARINE

1. PloS one

chelerythrine

1. PloS one

protopine

1. PloS one

Activities

Macleaya microcarpa has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Insecticide.

Insecticide

1. PloS one

Conditions

Macleaya microcarpa has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antidepressants, inflammation.

Antidepressants

1. Tsitologiia

Inflammation

1. PloS one