White-backed leaf

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• White-backed leaf

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Croton chinensis
• Mallotus apelta var. kwangsiensis
• Ricinus apelta
• Rottlera cantoniensis
• Mallotus apelta f. leiocarpa
• Mallotus apelta var. chinensis
• Rottlera chinensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Mallotus apelta, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling under the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Euphorbiaceae and the genus Mallotus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across parts of East and Southeast Asia. In China, its presence is noted within the South-Central regions of the country. It can also be found growing in the tropical environment of Hainan. Furthermore, the species extends its distribution into the Southeast regions of China. Finally, its habitat includes the Indo-China territory of Vietnam.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Mallotus apelta is characterized by its specific distribution across varying altitudinal gradients, typically thriving in environments ranging from lowlands to mid-altitude regions. This species demonstrates a broad vertical niche, occupying an elevational range that begins as low as 30 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL. Within this distribution, the plant shows a preference for intermediate elevations, with its ecological presence centered around a mean elevation of 515 m AMSL, suggesting an optimal habitat preference within these specific altitudinal parameters.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

515 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

30 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Mallotus apetala is characterized by its structural classification as a phanerophyte, a life form defined by the presence of its perennating buds located high above the ground on woody stems, which allows it to persist through unfavorable seasonal conditions. While its primary growth habit aligns with the phanerophyte strategy, its developmental range and ecological adaptability can also relate to the nanophanerophyte life form, indicating a capacity for varying stature depending on environmental constraints and resource availability. As a woody perennial, it follows a lifecycle of consistent vegetative growth and seasonal reproductive cycles, utilizing its elevated bud positions to ensure survival and regeneration within its native habitat.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Mallotus apetala is characterized by a woody growth form that manifests as both a shrub and a tree. It is a self-supporting, terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. The plant typically reaches a mean height of 2 meters, though its stature can vary significantly, ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum height of 3 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

2 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Mallotus apetala is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production. Its vegetative structure is defined by specific foliar dimensions that facilitate gas exchange and light interception. The leaves exhibit a variable morphology, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 6 cm to a mean of 11 cm, reaching a maximum of 16 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width shows significant variation, maintaining a minimum of 6 cm and a mean of 11 cm, while expanding to a maximum width of 16 cm. These dimensions contribute to the overall surface area available for metabolic activities and transpiration.

Leaf length max:

16 cm

Leaf length mean:

11 cm

Leaf length min:

6 cm

Leaf width max:

16 cm

Leaf width mean:

11 cm

Leaf width min:

6 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Mallotus apetala is characterized by the production of seeds with highly uniform physical properties. Based on empirical data, the seed mass exhibits no variance, with the mean, maximum, and minimum values all recorded at exactly 0.00721 g. This consistency in seed mass suggests a highly standardized reproductive output, where each individual seed maintains a precise weight of 0.00721 g, ensuring uniformity in the dispersal units produced by the plant.

Seed mass mean:

0.00721 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Mallotus apelta has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Root

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Chemicals

Mallotus apelta has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 12-ursen-3-one, Acetyl aleuritolic acid, Chromones, Coumarins, Flavonoids.

12-ursen-3-one

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Acetyl aleuritolic acid

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Chromones

1. Natural product research

Coumarins

1. Natural product research

Flavonoids

1. Natural product research

Mussaenoside

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Ursolic acid

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Vicenin II

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Medicinal Uses

Mallotus apelta has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, liver diseases, liver fibrosis, liver steatosis.

Most Reported Uses