Magnolia sinica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Manglietia sinica
• Manglietiastrum sinicum
• Pachylarnax sinica

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Magnoliales, it is positioned in the family Magnoliaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Magnolia, specifically as the species Magnolia sinica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found within a specific regional range in East Asia. Its natural habitat is concentrated in the South-Central portion of China. Within this territory, it thrives in local ecosystems that support its medicinal growth. This localized distribution makes it a characteristic species of that particular Chinese landscape. Consequently, researchers focusing on this species primarily look to South-Central China for collection.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Magnolia sinica is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits associated with both the phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms. As a perennial woody species, its regenerative buds are located on aerial branches well above the ground surface, allowing it to maintain a stable structural presence within its ecosystem. This life strategy enables the plant to persist through various seasonal cycles, utilizing its elevated meristematic tissues to survive environmental fluctuations. By maintaining its buds on woody stems, it avoids the seasonal mortality associated with more ephemeral life forms, ensuring long-term survival and consistent growth patterns within its natural habitat.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Magnolia sinica is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree. It functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies, and is classified as a terrestrial plant rather than an epiphyte. In terms of its structural support, it is a self-supporting species, meaning it does not utilize a climbing habit to reach light but instead relies on its own sturdy, woody architecture for stability.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Magnolia sinica is characterized by a metabolic framework typical of many woody angiosperms, specifically utilizing a C3 photosynthetic pathway. This pathway involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells, facilitating the production of three-carbon compounds during the Calvin cycle. This metabolic strategy dictates the plant's water-use efficiency and gas exchange dynamics, as it relies on relatively open stomatal conductance to maintain carbon assimilation, making its physiological processes sensitive to ambient moisture levels and light intensity. Through this C3 mechanism, the plant manages its energy conversion and biomass accumulation, supporting its structural development and secondary metabolic processes within its natural habitat.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Magnolia sinica has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Nectandrin B, Syringaresinol.

Nectandrin B

1. Planta medica

Syringaresinol

1. Planta medica