Podophyllum versipelle

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dysosma versipellis

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified under the order Ranunculales and the family Berberidaceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Podophyllum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions in East and Southeast Asia. In China, its presence is noted throughout the South-Central provinces. It can also be found extending into the North-Central areas of the country. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed across China Southeast. Finally, its range reaches into the Indo-China region, specifically within Vietnam.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Podophyllum versipellis is defined by its specific altitudinal distribution within montane forest ecosystems, where it thrives across a broad vertical gradient. This species is typically found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 300 m AMSL to a maximum of 2400 m AMSL, occupying various niches within these mountain belts. Its presence is most concentrated around a mean elevation of 1350 m AMSL, indicating a preference for mid-elevation temperate or subtropical forest environments. This distribution pattern suggests the plant is well-adapted to the varying climatic conditions, moisture levels, and soil compositions characteristic of these diverse elevational zones.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1350 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Podophyllum versipellis is characterized by its status as a perennial herb, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a perennial, the plant relies on a substantial underground rhizome to store nutrients, which allows it to survive periods of dormancy and regrow annually. Its lifecycle is dictated by seasonal shifts, typically emerging from the soil in early spring to produce its foliage and characteristic flowers, then entering a period of senescence as temperatures rise or environmental conditions change. This perennial nature enables the plant to establish a stable presence within its woodland habitat, utilizing its stored energy to support reproductive efforts and vegetative expansion over many years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Podophyllum versipellis is characterized by a non-woody growth habit. The plant exhibits a variable stature, with heights typically ranging from a minimum of 0.4 m to a maximum of 1.5 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.95 m.

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.95 m

Plant height min:

0.4 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological development of the foliage in Podophyllum versipellis is characterized by specific morphological dimensions that define its vegetative structure. The leaves exhibit a notable range in size, with a minimum leaf length of 2.5 cm and a maximum length reaching up to 4 cm, resulting in a calculated mean leaf length of 3.25 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaves demonstrate a significant width variation, starting from a minimum width of 5 cm and extending to a maximum width of 7 cm. These dimensions reflect the plant's capacity for leaf expansion and structural adaptation within its growing environment.

Leaf length max:

4 cm

Leaf length mean:

3.25 cm

Leaf length min:

2.5 cm

Leaf width max:

7 cm

Leaf width min:

5 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Podophyllum versipellis culminates in the development of specialized fruit structures that exhibit highly consistent morphological dimensions. The resulting fruits are characterized by a uniform size profile, where the fruit length remains constant with a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 0.4 cm. Complementing this longitudinal dimension, the fruit width shows an identical level of stability, maintaining a mean, minimum, and maximum measurement of 3.5 cm. These precise metrics indicate a standardized reproductive output, ensuring that the fruit maintains a consistent width-to-length ratio during its maturation process.

Fruit length max:

0.4 cm

Fruit width max:

3.5 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Podophyllum versipelle has 4 reported plant parts identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf, rhizome, stem.

Root

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Cell division
3. Journal of natural products
4. Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology
5. Microbiology resource announcements

Leaf

1. Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Rhizome

1. Journal of inflammation research

Stem

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Chemicals

Podophyllum versipelle has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include podophyllotoxin, kaempferol, quercetin, 4'-Demethyldeoxypodophyllotoxin, 4'-Demethylpodophyllotoxin.

podophyllotoxin

1. Journal of natural products
2. Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology
3. Journal of inflammation research

kaempferol

1. Journal of natural products
2. Journal of inflammation research

quercetin

1. Journal of natural products
2. Journal of inflammation research

4'-Demethyldeoxypodophyllotoxin

1. Journal of natural products

4'-Demethylpodophyllotoxin

1. Journal of natural products

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Journal of natural products

CAT

1. Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology

Deoxypodophyllotoxin

1. Journal of natural products

Diphyllin

1. Journal of natural products

MDA

1. Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology

Activities

Podophyllum versipelle has 2 reported activities identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antiviral.

Anticancer

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Antiviral

1. Journal of inflammation research

Preparations