shurni

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• shurni

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Picrasma japonica
• Simaba quassioides
• Picrasma quassioides f. glabrescens
• Picrasma ailanthoides
• Picrasma quassioides f. dasycarpa
• Picrasma quassioides var. dasycarpa
• Picrasma ailanthoides var. dasycarpa
• Picrasma quassioides var. glabrescens
• Zwingera quassioides
• Rhus ailanthoides
• Nima quassioides

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Simaroubaceae and is specifically identified by the genus Picrasma.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions within China. It is widely documented to grow in the China South-Central area, spreading through various local ecosystems. Its range further extends to the tropical environment of Hainan. Additionally, the species can be found inhabiting the northern reaches of Manchuria. Finally, its presence is confirmed in both the China North-Central and China Southeast territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Picrasma quassioides is characterized by its specific distribution across varying altitudinal gradients, typically thriving in montane forest environments. This species exhibits a broad vertical range, occupying habitats from a minimum elevation of 1,050 m AMSL up to a maximum of 2,400 m AMSL. Within these diverse topographical zones, the plant maintains an average elevation of approximately 2,025 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-to-high altitude ecosystems where specific moisture and temperature regimes are maintained.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2025 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1050 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Picrasma quassioides is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a deciduous species, it undergoes a seasonal cycle where it sheds its foliage annually, typically in response to changes in temperature or moisture availability, before entering a period of dormancy. This combination of a long-term life cycle and a seasonal shedding of leaves influences its growth patterns and resource management within its natural habitat.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Picrasma quassioides is characterized by a woody growth form, functioning as a self-supporting tree that can reach a significant plant height with a mean of approximately 10 m. As a terrestrial organism, it exists as an independent species rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its structural habit, it is categorized as a self-supporting tree, lacking the climbing or vining characteristics of lianas, and it maintains a robust, woody constitution throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Picrasma quassioides is characterized by specific morphological and metabolic parameters that define its growth and resource management. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and environmental adaptations. Its leaf morphology exhibits significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 15 cm to a maximum of 30 cm, resulting in an average leaf length of 22.5 cm. Furthermore, the structural integrity and biomass allocation of the plant are reflected in its stem-specific density (SSD), which maintains a mean value of 561 mg/cm³.

Leaf length max:

30 cm

Leaf length mean:

22.5 cm

Leaf length min:

15 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

561 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Picrasma quassioides is characterized by the production of small fruits that exhibit specific morphological dimensions. The fruit length typically ranges from a minimum of 0.6 cm to a maximum of 0.8 cm, with an average length of 0.7 cm. In terms of width, the fruits vary from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 0.7 cm, maintaining a mean width of 0.6 cm. Regarding its reproductive strategy for spreading, the plant utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to aid in the distribution of its seeds.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit length max:

0.8 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.7 cm

Fruit length min:

0.6 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

Picrasma quassioides has 3 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem, fruit.

Leaf

1. Journal of Asian natural products research
2. Fitoterapia

Stem

1. Fitoterapia
2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Fruit

1. Pest management science

Chemicals

Picrasma quassioides has 35 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1-Acetyl-beta-carboline, 1-Carboxy-beta-carboline, 1-Hydroxymethyl-beta-carboline, 3-methylcanthin-2,6-dione, 4,5-DIMETHOXYCANTHIN-6-ONE.

1-Acetyl-beta-carboline

1. Dr. Duke

1-Carboxy-beta-carboline

1. Dr. Duke

1-Hydroxymethyl-beta-carboline

1. Dr. Duke

3-methylcanthin-2,6-dione

1. Dr. Duke

4,5-DIMETHOXYCANTHIN-6-ONE

1. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences

4,8-Dimethoxy-1-(2-methoxyethyl)-beta-carboline

1. Dr. Duke

5-Hydroxy-4-methoxycanthin-6-one

1. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences

Annuionone H

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Compound 5

1. Pest management science

Coumarins

1. Fitoterapia

Activities

Picrasma quassioides has 23 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Amebicide, Anthelmintic, Antialopecic, Antiandrogenic.

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Amebicide

1. Dr. Duke

Anthelmintic

1. Fitoterapia

Antialopecic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiandrogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antibacterial

1. Fitoterapia

Antifibrinolytic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifungal

1. Fitoterapia

Antimicrobial

1. Fitoterapia

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Picrasma quassioides has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, inflammation, Alzheimer's disease, bacteria.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations