Metagentiana rhodantha

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Gentiana jankae
• Gentiana rhodantha
• Gentiana rhodantha var. wilsonii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Metagentiana rhodantha, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Gentianales and the family Gentianaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Metagentiana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Metagentiana rhodantha, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across various regions of China. It can be found growing within the landscapes of China South-Central. Additionally, the species is present in the territories of China North-Central. Its geographical reach also extends into the areas of China Southeast. Consequently, these three distinct regions define the known habitat of this medicinal plant.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Metagentiana rhodantha is defined by its specific altitudinal distribution within mountainous ecosystems, where it occupies a distinct vertical niche. The species is primarily found across a broad elevational gradient, ranging from a minimum altitude of 570 m AMSL to a maximum altitude of 2000 m AMSL. Throughout its natural habitat, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1160 m AMSL, a positioning that suggests an adaptation to mid-to-high altitude montane environments. This specific range dictates the climatic conditions, soil types, and moisture availability to which the species must adapt to thrive.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1160 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

570 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Metagentiana rhodantha is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its habitat over multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it does not rely on a single reproductive event to complete its cycle but instead establishes a stable presence through the continuous development of its root systems and vegetative structures. This long-term survival strategy enables the plant to navigate seasonal fluctuations, storing necessary nutrients to support regrowth and flowering in subsequent years. Throughout its life, the plant undergoes cyclical phases of vegetative growth and reproductive maturity, contributing to its sustained presence within its specific ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Metagentiana rhodantha is characterized by its relatively low-growing stature, with a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 0.5 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 0.35 m.

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.35 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Physiology

The physiology of Metagentiana rhodantha is closely integrated with its morphological dimensions, particularly regarding its foliar structure and surface area optimization. The leaf development within this species exhibits significant variability, with individual leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 3 cm, maintaining an average length of approximately 2 cm. This longitudinal variation is complemented by a specific width profile, where leaf widths fluctuate between a minimum of 0.5 cm and a maximum of 2 cm. These dimensional constraints suggest a specialized physiological adaptation for light interception and gas exchange within its specific ecological niche, as the ratio between the mean length of 2 cm and the varying width facilitates efficient photosynthetic activity and metabolic regulation.

Leaf length max:

3 cm

Leaf length mean:

2 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

2 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Metagentiana rhodantha culminates in the development of distinct fruits that exhibit specific morphological dimensions. These fruits are characterized by a consistent width, maintaining a uniform measurement of 0.4 cm, which is reflected in the minimum, mean, and maximum width values. In terms of longitudinal development, the fruit length shows more variability, ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm, with an average length of 2.25 cm. This variation in length, contrasted with the stable width, defines the structural profile of the reproductive output of the plant.

Fruit length max:

2.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

2.25 cm

Fruit length min:

2 cm

Fruit width max:

0.4 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Metagentiana rhodantha has 21 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Mangiferin, Isoorientin, 2alpha-Hydroxyursolic acid, Erythrodiol 3-O-palmitate, Flavonoids.

Mangiferin

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC
2. BMC biochemistry
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
4. Natural product research
5. Chemistry & biodiversity

Isoorientin

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

2alpha-Hydroxyursolic acid

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

Erythrodiol 3-O-palmitate

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

Flavonoids

1. Natural product research

Gallic acid ethyl ester

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

Gentiopicroside

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Iridoids

1. BMC biochemistry

Lancerin

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Loganic acid

1. Biomedical chromatography : BMC

Conditions

Metagentiana rhodantha has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include inflammation.

Inflammation

1. Natural product research