Podophyllum pleianthum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant, known as Podophyllum pleianthum, exhibits a specific range across East Asian territories. Its primary distribution includes significant populations found throughout South-Central China. Additionally, it is well-documented across the Southeast regions of China. The species also extends its geographical reach to the island of Taiwan. Consequently, its natural habitat is concentrated within these distinct parts of Eastern Asia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Podophyllum pleianthum is characterized by a specific altitudinal distribution within its native habitat, typically thriving in montane environments. This species is found across a diverse vertical gradient, with its presence recorded at a minimum elevation of 400 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum altitude of 1600 m AMSL. On average, the plant occupies a mid-elevation ecological niche, with a mean elevational range centered around 1000 m AMSL. This altitudinal positioning influences the specific microclimates, moisture levels, and soil conditions to which the species is adapted throughout its life cycle.

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

400 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Podophyllum peltatum is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a perennial herb, it follows a seasonal rhythm dictated by temperate climate patterns, emerging from its underground rhizomes in the spring to produce foliage and flowers. The plant relies on these sturdy, energy-storing rhizomes to survive periods of dormancy during the winter months. Once established, it can occupy a specific niche within woodland ecosystems for many years, often spreading via rhizomatous growth to form colonial patches. Its reproductive cycle involves the production of seasonal flowers that give way to fleshy fruits, which facilitate dispersal and the continued establishment of new individuals within its habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Podophyllum peltatum is characterized by a non-woody growth habit, presenting as a herbaceous perennial. The plant exhibits significant variation in stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 0.8 m, although the mean plant height is recorded at 0.5 m.

Plant height max:

0.8 m

Plant height mean:

5 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Podophyllum peltatum culminates in the development of distinctive fruit structures that exhibit highly consistent morphological dimensions. The fruit typically maintains a uniform shape, characterized by a mean length of 3 cm and a mean width of 2 cm. This consistency is reflected in the plant's specific growth parameters, where the minimum recorded fruit length is 3 cm and the maximum fruit length also reaches 3 cm, indicating a very narrow range of size variation. Similarly, the width of the fruit is remarkably stable, with a minimum width of 2 cm, a maximum width of 2 cm, and a mean width of 2 cm. These precise measurements ensure that the reproductive output maintains a standardized structural profile throughout the fruiting stage.

Fruit length max:

3 cm

Fruit width max:

2 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Podophyllum pleianthum has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Astragalin, Desoxypodophyllotoxin, Hyperin, Hyperoside, Isopicropodophyllone.

Astragalin

1. Dr. Duke

Desoxypodophyllotoxin

1. Dr. Duke

Hyperin

1. Dr. Duke

Hyperoside

1. Dr. Duke

Isopicropodophyllone

1. Dr. Duke

Podophyllotoxone

1. Dr. Duke

kaempferol

1. Dr. Duke

podophyllotoxin

1. Dr. Duke

quercetin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Podophyllum pleianthum has 205 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, ATPase-Inhibitor, Abortifacient.

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke