Petasites formosanus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales, it is further categorized under the family Asteraceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Petasites.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is specifically found within the unique ecosystems of Eastern Asia. Its documented geographical range is quite restricted to a particular island region. Specifically, the distribution of Petasites formosanus is limited to Taiwan. This localized presence suggests that the species thrives under the specific climatic conditions found there. Consequently, the plant serves as a notable example of endemic flora within this East Asian territory.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Petasites formosanus is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial, it maintains a robust presence in its habitat, typically relying on underground rhizomes to survive periods of dormancy and to facilitate vegetative spread. This life cycle enables the plant to establish deep root systems that store essential nutrients, providing the energy necessary to emerge and flourish annually. Throughout its lifespan, the plant undergoes cyclical stages of growth, transitioning from initial spring emergence to flowering and subsequent seed production, ensuring both individual longevity and the potential for population expansion through both sexual reproduction and clonal growth.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Petasites formosanus is characterized by its growth form as a herb and a forb, exhibiting a non-woody structure throughout its vegetative development. Unlike climbing species, this plant is non-climbing and functions as a self-supporting organism, maintaining its upright or spreading posture without the need for external support.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Petasites formosanus is characterized by distinct morphological dimensions in its foliage, which play a critical role in its photosynthetic capacity and resource acquisition. The leaf architecture exhibits significant variability in both longitudinal and transverse growth. In terms of leaf length, the plant demonstrates a mean measurement of 3 cm, with dimensions ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 4 cm. This longitudinal development is complemented by a robust leaf width, which shows a mean value of 9.5 cm. The breadth of the leaves fluctuates between a minimum width of 7 cm and a maximum width of 12 cm, indicating a broad, expansive surface area that is typical for optimizing light interception within its ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

4 cm

Leaf length mean:

3 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

12 cm

Leaf width mean:

9.5 cm

Leaf width min:

7 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Petasites formosanus has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include S-Petasin, Iso-S-petasin.

S-Petasin

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
2. Food & function
3. The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics

Iso-S-petasin

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Activities

Petasites formosanus has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihypertensive, Antimuscarinic, Antispasmodic, Hypotensive.

Antihypertensive

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Antimuscarinic

1. Planta medica

Antispasmodic

1. Planta medica

Hypotensive

1. The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics

Conditions

Petasites formosanus has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include hypertension, asthma, tumors.

Hypertension

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
2. Planta medica

Asthma

1. Planta medica

Tumors

1. Planta medica

Preparations

Petasites formosanus has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include S-petasin.

S-petasin

1. The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics