Maianthemum atropurpureum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Smilacina atropurpurea
• Smilacina prattii
• Tovaria prattii var. robusta
• Maianthemum wardii
• Peliosanthes mairei
• Smilacina smithii
• Smilacina wardii
• Tovaria wardii
• Tovaria atropurpurea
• Tovaria prattii

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 Asparagales and the family Asparagaceae, it is classified under the genus Maianthemum. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined as Maianthemum atropurpureum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Maianthemum atropurpureum, possesses a specific and relatively limited geographical range. Its primary distribution is concentrated within the South-Central regions of China. Beyond the Chinese borders, the species also extends into the Indo-China peninsula. Specifically, it can be found growing within the territory of Myanmar. This distribution pattern highlights the plant's preference for these particular subtropical Asian landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Maianthemum atropurpureum is characterized by its specialization within high-altitude montane and subalpine ecosystems, where it occupies a specific vertical niche in the landscape. This species thrives within a distinct elevational range, establishing itself at altitudes as low as 1800 m AMSL and extending its habitat upwards to a maximum elevation of 3600 m AMSL. Within this altitudinal gradient, the plant is typically found in moist, shaded environments, such as forest understories or along the margins of alpine meadows, where the soil moisture and temperature regimes are stabilized by the surrounding terrain. Its presence across such a significant elevational span indicates a high degree of adaptation to varying atmospheric pressures and temperature fluctuations characteristic of high-elevation mountain environments.

Elevational range max:

3600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1800 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Maianthemum atropurpureum is characterized by its classification as a cryptophyte, specifically functioning as a geophyte. This strategy allows the plant to survive unfavorable environmental conditions by retreating to underground storage organs, such as rhizomes, which protect its vital nutrients and meristematic tissues from extreme temperatures or seasonal shifts. As a geophyte, it relies on these subterranean structures to endure periods of dormancy before re-emerging during favorable growing seasons. This life cycle ensures long-term persistence in its habitat, utilizing its underground presence to navigate seasonal changes and facilitate vegetative spread.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Maianthemum atropurpureum is characterized by its growth form as a herbaceous plant, specifically functioning as a non-woody herb. It exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit, rather than being an obligatory or facultative climber that relies on external structures. As a terrestrial species, it grows in the soil rather than acting as an epiphyte, and it maintains an independent life cycle without acting as a parasite on other organisms.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Maianthemum atropurpureum has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Essential amino acids, Flavonoids, Steroid Saponins, adenosine, guanosine.

Essential amino acids

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Steroid Saponins

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

adenosine

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

guanosine

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

uridine

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Activities

Maianthemum atropurpureum has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial.

Antimicrobial

1. Frontiers in pharmacology