Neolitsea ellipsoidea

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within certain tropical and subtropical regions. In China, its presence is officially recorded on the island of Hainan. Moving across the border into the Indo-China region, it is also found in Vietnam. These locations indicate that the species thrives in the unique climatic conditions of Southeast Asia. Consequently, its range is relatively localized to these specific maritime and mainland habitats.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Neolitsea ellipsoidea is closely tied to its specific altitudinal distribution within its native habitat. This species thrives within a distinct elevational range, typically occurring at mid-to-high altitudes. It is most commonly found at a mean elevation of approximately 850 m AMSL, though its presence spans a vertical gradient starting from a minimum of 700 m AMSL and reaching an upper limit of 1000 m AMSL. This narrow altitudinal band suggests that the plant is adapted to the specific microclimatic conditions, such as temperature regimes and moisture levels, characteristic of these middle-elevation zones.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

850 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

700 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Neolitsea ellipsoidea is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, meaning it maintains its vegetative structures and biological functions over many years rather than completing its cycle in a single season. As a long-lived woody species, it follows a developmental trajectory that extends well beyond the annual or biennial stages, allowing it to establish a permanent presence within its ecological niche. Throughout its extended lifespan, the plant undergoes continuous growth and seasonal cycles, investing energy into long-term structural stability and reproductive capabilities that support its persistence in the environment across multiple successive years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Neolitsea ellipsoidea is characterized by its robust growth form, primarily manifesting as a woody tree. This species exhibits a significant stature, with an average plant height reaching approximately 30 m. In terms of its structural habit, it is classified as a self-supporting organism, maintaining its upright position without the need for climbing structures or external support.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Plant height mean:

30 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Neolitsea ellipsoidea is characterized by specific morphological dimensions and structural density parameters that define its vegetative growth. The foliage exhibits a consistent size range, with leaf lengths typically measuring an average of 8.5 cm, though they can vary from a minimum of 7 cm to a maximum of 10 cm. The width of these leaves is similarly defined, ranging from a minimum of 2.3 cm to a maximum of 5 cm. Complementing its foliar characteristics, the structural integrity of the plant is reflected in its stem specific density (SSD), which maintains a mean value of 564 mg/cm³.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

8.5 cm

Leaf length min:

7 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width min:

2.3 cm

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

564 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Neolitsea ellipsoidea is characterized by the development of fleshy fruits that exhibit specific morphological variations in size. The dimensions of these fruits are measured through both length and width, showing a consistent range of development. Specifically, the fruit length varies from a minimum of 1.3 cm to a maximum of 1.8 cm, with an average length of approximately 1.55 cm. In terms of width, the fruits measure as narrow as 1 cm at their minimum and reach a maximum width of 1.2 cm, resulting in a mean width of 1.1 cm. These standardized measurements of the fruit dimensions serve as key indicators of the plant's reproductive output and successful maturation.

Fruit length max:

1.8 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.55 cm

Fruit length min:

1.3 cm

Fruit width max:

1.2 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.1 cm

Fruit width min:

1 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Neolitsea ellipsoidea has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Neolitsea ellipsoidea has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaf essential oils.

Leaf essential oils

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)