Microtropis fokienensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Microtropis matsudae
• Otherodendron matsudae
• Microtropis illiciifolia
• Cassine illiciifolia
• Cassine matsudae

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further organized under the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Celastrales, and the family Celastraceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Microtropis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found in specific regions of Eastern Asia. Its geographical range includes the southeastern parts of China. Additionally, it has a documented presence on the island of Taiwan. These locations represent the primary areas where the species can be located in the wild. Consequently, its distribution is relatively concentrated within these East Asian territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Microtropis fokienensis is characterized by its specific distribution across varying altitudinal gradients within its natural habitat. This species typically inhabits montane environments, occupying an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 800 m AMSL. As the terrain ascends, the plant is frequently encountered throughout the mid-elevation zones, maintaining a mean elevational range of approximately 1400 m AMSL. The upper limit of its ecological niche extends to a maximum elevation of 2000 m AMSL, defining the vertical boundaries of its specialized environmental requirements.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

800 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Microtropis fokienenensis is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle within a single year. As a long-lived plant, it maintains its physiological functions and structural integrity over an extended period, allowing it to establish a stable presence within its specific ecological niche. This perennial nature enables the plant to undergo repeated cycles of growth and reproduction, contributing to its long-term survival and ability to adapt to environmental fluctuations over many years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Microtropis fokienenensis is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a shrub. This plant functions as a self-supporting climber, exhibiting a structural development that allows it to maintain its position. In terms of vertical dimensions, the plant reaches a maximum height of 4 m, with an average height of approximately 2.75 m, while the minimum recorded height is 1.5 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height max:

4 m

Plant height mean:

2.75 m

Plant height min:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological profile of the foliage in Microtropis fokienenensis is characterized by significant morphological variation in leaf dimensions, which influences its photosynthetic capacity and transpiration rates. The leaves exhibit a notable range in length, with a minimum measurement of 4 cm and a mean length of 6.5 cm, reaching a maximum extent of 9 cm. This longitudinal variation is complemented by a specific width distribution, where the leaf breadth ranges from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 3.5 cm. These dimensional parameters suggest a dynamic leaf area index that allows the plant to optimize light interception and gas exchange within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

9 cm

Leaf length mean:

6.5 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

3.5 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Microtropis fokienensis is characterized by the development of distinct fruits that exhibit specific morphological variations in size. The dimensions of these fruits are measurable across a defined range, with lengths varying from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 1.4 cm, resulting in an average fruit length of 1.2 cm. Similarly, the fruit width displays a measurable breadth, ranging from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 0.7 cm, with a mean width recorded at 0.6 cm. These morphological parameters provide a precise quantitative profile of the plant's reproductive output.

Fruit length max:

1.4 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.2 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit width max:

0.7 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.6 cm

Fruit width min:

0.5 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Microtropis fokienensis has 3 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, stem.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Stem

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Microtropis fokienensis has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3beta,28-Dihydroxy-11alpha-methoxyurs-12-ene, MICROFOKIENOXANE A, MICROFOKIENOXANE B, MICROFOKIENOXANE C, MICROFOKIENOXANE D.

3beta,28-Dihydroxy-11alpha-methoxyurs-12-ene

1. Journal of natural products

MICROFOKIENOXANE A

1. Journal of natural products

MICROFOKIENOXANE B

1. Journal of natural products

MICROFOKIENOXANE C

1. Journal of natural products

MICROFOKIENOXANE D

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Microtropis fokienensis has 1 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antitubercular.

Antitubercular

1. Journal of natural products