Magnolia insignis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Manglietia maguanica
• Manglietia insignis
• Magnolia insignis var. angustifolia
• Magnolia insignis var. latifolia
• Magnolia shangpaensis
• Manglietia insignis var. angustifolia
• Manglietia insignis var. latifolia
• Manglietia yunnanensis
• Magnolia rufisyncarpa
• Magnolia maguanica
• Manglietia rufisyncarpa

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Magnoliales and the family Magnoliaceae, it is classified under the genus Magnolia. Specifically, Magnolia insignis represents a distinct species within this botanical lineage.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. Within China, its range extends through the South-Central and Southeast territories. It can also be found growing in the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, the species is specifically documented in Assam. Finally, its habitat includes the rugged terrain of the East Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Magnolia insignis is characterized by its specific distribution within montane environments, where it occupies a distinct altitudinal niche. This species is typically found inhabiting mid-to-high altitude zones, with its presence documented across an elevational range that spans from a minimum of 900 m AMSL to a maximum of 2600 m AMSL. Within this vertical gradient, the species demonstrates a preferred ecological preference centered around a mean elevation of 1050 m AMSL, suggesting that its optimal growth conditions and physiological requirements are most effectively met within this specific atmospheric and topographical belt.

Elevational range max:

2600 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1050 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

900 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Magnolia insignis is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem across multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated branches above the ground, utilizing a phanerophyte growth strategy to access light and resources. Furthermore, it exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally, which contributes to its continuous metabolic activity and structural stability within its habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Magnolia insignis is characterized by a large, woody growth form, specifically classified as a tree. This species is a self-supporting plant that reaches an average height of approximately 30 meters. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte, and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat. Unlike climbing vines or lianas, its structural development is entirely self-supporting, maintaining a robust, arborescent stature.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Magnolia insignis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The leaf morphology plays a critical role in its resource management, featuring an elliptic leaf form with entire margins and a complete absence of thorns or spines. The foliage displays significant dimensional variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 10 cm to a maximum of 26 cm, maintaining a mean length of 18 cm, while the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 4 cm and a maximum of 10 cm. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a consistent Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 131.0671789 cm²/g across its minimum, mean, and maximum values, suggesting a highly stabilized leaf mass per area which influences its water-use efficiency and light interception capabilities.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

26 cm

Leaf length mean:

18 cm

Leaf length min:

10 cm

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

10 cm

Leaf width min:

4 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

131.0671789 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Magnolia insignis is characterized by distinct morphological dimensions in both its flowering and fruiting stages. The reproductive cycle involves the production of flowers that typically exhibit a minimum length of 0.8 cm, reaching a maximum length of approximately 1 cm. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruit structures that vary significantly in size. These fruits maintain a mean length of 9.5 cm, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum of 7 cm to a maximum length of 12 cm.

Flower length max:

1 cm

Flower length min:

0.8 cm

Fruit length max:

12 cm

Fruit length mean:

9.5 cm

Fruit length min:

7 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Magnolia insignis has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Honokiol, Magnolol, Salicifoline.

Honokiol

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Magnolol

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Salicifoline

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica