Chinese necklace poplar

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese necklace poplar

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Populus lasiocarpa var. psiloclada
• Populus lasiocarpa var. longiamenta
• Populus lasiocarpa var. yiliangensis

Regional and Traditional Names

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 Malpighiales and the family Salicaceae, it is classified under the genus Populus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Populus lasiocarpa, exhibits a specific distribution pattern within the region of China. It is primarily found throughout the South-Central part of the country. Additionally, its habitat extends into the North-Central areas of China. These two distinct zones represent the core geographical range for this medicinal species. Consequently, its presence is tied to these specific central territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Populus lasiocarpa is characterized by its presence across a significant altitudinal gradient, reflecting its adaptability to varying montane environments. It typically inhabits high-altitude regions, with its distribution spanning an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 1300 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 3500 m AMSL. On average, the species is found at a mean elevation of 2400 m AMSL, where it thrives within specific climatic and topographical niches suitable for its growth and survival.

Elevational range max:

3500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Populus lasiocarpa is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish long-term presence within its natural habitat. As a long-lived woody plant, it follows a life cycle that moves beyond the stages of annual or biennial growth, instead investing energy into robust structural development and sustained physiological activity over many years. This perennial nature enables the plant to endure seasonal fluctuations and contribute to the stability of its ecosystem through consistent growth cycles and repeated reproductive efforts over its extended lifespan.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Populus lasiocarpa is characterized by a robust growth form, specifically classified as a tree. This species exhibits a woody structure and is a self-supporting plant, reaching a significant plant height with a mean of approximately 20 m. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial existence rather than an aquatic or semiaquatic one.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

20 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Populus lasiocarpa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy for temperate woody species that facilitates carbon fixation under moderate environmental conditions. The vegetative morphology exhibits significant variation in foliar dimensions, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 15 cm to a mean of 22.5 cm, reaching a maximum of 30 cm. Correspondingly, leaf width varies from a minimum of 10 cm to a maximum of 15 cm, maintaining an average width of 12.5 cm. Supporting the structural integrity of the plant, the stem exhibits a mean specific density (SSD) of 486 mg/cm³, reflecting the tissue density required to facilitate nutrient transport and mechanical stability.

Leaf length max:

30 cm

Leaf length mean:

22.5 cm

Leaf length min:

15 cm

Leaf width max:

15 cm

Leaf width mean:

12.5 cm

Leaf width min:

10 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

486 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Populus lasiocarpa is characterized by the production of small, capsule-like fruits that serve as the primary vehicle for seed dispersal. These fruits exhibit measurable morphological variation in size, with recorded fruit lengths ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 1.7 cm. On average, the fruit length across the species is approximately 1.35 cm. These capsules typically release numerous tiny, wind-dispersed seeds, facilitating the colonization of new habitats through anemochory.

Fruit length max:

1.7 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.35 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Populus lasiocarpa has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Pinocembrin, Pinostrobin.

Pinocembrin

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Pinostrobin

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology