Magnolia shiluensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is characterized by a highly localized geographical distribution. It is native to the tropical regions of China. Specifically, its presence is strictly confined to the island of Hainan. Because it is endemic to this single province, its natural habitat is quite limited. Consequently, the survival of this species depends heavily on the environmental stability of this specific island location.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Magnolia shiluensis is characterized by its specific vertical distribution within its native mountainous habitats, where it occupies a diverse altitudinal gradient. This species is primarily found at mid-to-low elevations, with a recorded minimum elevation of 200 m AMSL and a maximum elevation reaching up to 1500 m AMSL. On average, the plant thrives at a mean elevation of 850 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for montane environments that offer specific thermal and moisture regimes found within this altitudinal band.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

850 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Magnolia shiluensis is characterized by its long-term survival strategy as a perennial plant, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle within a single year. As a member of the phanerophyte life forms, specifically classified as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, its reproductive buds are elevated well above the ground level, protected by woody structures that allow it to maintain structural integrity and endure varying environmental conditions. This developmental pattern ensures a stable presence within its ecological niche, utilizing its perennial nature to establish a robust, long-lived existence.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Magnolia shiuluensis is characterized by its robust growth form, primarily developing as a woody tree. It exhibits a significant stature, reaching a mean plant height of approximately 18 m. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber, instead maintaining its structure through its woody development. The species is an independent organism, meaning it does not act as a parasite, and it is classified as a terrestrial plant, growing in soil rather than as an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

18 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Magnolia shiLUensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy for many woody medicinal species that optimizes carbon fixation under moderate environmental conditions. The vegetative development of the plant is closely linked to its leaf morphology, which exhibits specific dimensional ranges essential for its gas exchange and light interception capabilities. The foliage displays a leaf length that typically ranges from a minimum of 8 cm to a maximum of 14 cm, with a mean leaf length of approximately 11 cm. Complementing these longitudinal dimensions, the leaf width varies between a minimum of 4 cm and a maximum of 7 cm, providing a structured surface area conducive to the plant's metabolic processes.

Leaf length max:

14 cm

Leaf length mean:

11 cm

Leaf length min:

8 cm

Leaf width max:

7 cm

Leaf width min:

4 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Magnolia shiilensis culminates in the development of characteristic aggregate fruits that emerge following successful pollination. These fruits exhibit specific dimensional variations, typically ranging in length from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 5 cm. On average, the fruit length is recorded at approximately 4.5 cm, serving as a key morphological indicator during the reproductive stage of the plant's life cycle.

Fruit length max:

5 cm

Fruit length mean:

4.5 cm

Fruit length min:

4 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Magnolia shiluensis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Magnolia shiluensis has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include dried leaf aqueous extract, fresh leaf aqueous extract.

Dried leaf aqueous extract

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Fresh leaf aqueous extract

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)