big leaf cherry

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lauro-cerasus zippeliana
• Lauro-cerasus zippeliana var. crassistyla
• Prunus kanehirae
• Prunus adenopoda
• Prunus zippeliana var. sphaerocarpa
• Prunus bakti
• Gomphandra serrata
• Lauro-cerasus adenopoda
• Prunus zippeliana var. crassistyla
• Lauro-cerasus macrophylla var. oxycarpa
• Lauro-cerasus macrophylla var. sphaerocarpa
• Pygeum oxycarpum
• Prunus pseudoadenopoda
• Lauro-cerasus zippeliana var. angustifolia
• Prunus macrophylla var. adenopoda
• Prunus macrophylla var. crassistyla
• Prunus macrophylla var. puberifolia
• Prunus macrophylla var. sphaerocarpa

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized into the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Prunus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions of East Asia. In China, it can be found throughout the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast territories. Its presence extends beyond the mainland into the islands of Japan. Additionally, the species is located within the Nansei-shotō archipelago. Together, these areas define the primary natural range of Prunus zippeliana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Prunus zippeliana is closely tied to its specific altitudinal distribution within its native habitat. This species thrives across a significant vertical gradient, occupying diverse montane environments that range from lower foothills to high-altitude zones. Its elevational range begins at a minimum of 600 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 2400 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 1450 m AMSL. This broad distribution suggests an ability to adapt to varying temperature regimes and atmospheric pressures found within these different altitudinal strata.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1450 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Prunus zippeliana is characterized by its classification as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated branches above the ground level, a growth form that can be further specified as a phanerophyte to describe its structural development. Throughout its life cycle, the species exhibits an evergreen deciduousness trait, meaning it retains its foliage or maintains a consistent green presence rather than shedding all leaves seasonally in a typical deciduous manner.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Prunus zippeliana is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically categorized as a tree. It exhibits a robust structure that can be described as self-supporting, ranging from a facultative to an obligatory growth habit. The plant reaches significant dimensions in terms of stature, with a minimum height of 10 m, a mean height of approximately 17.5 m, and a maximum height that can extend up to 25 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Plant height max:

25 m

Plant height mean:

17.5 m

Plant height min:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Prunus zippeliana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production. The vegetative structure is defined by its foliage, where leaves exhibit an elliptic form with entire margins and are entirely devoid of thorns or spines. The morphological dimensions of the leaves show significant variability, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 6 cm to a maximum of 19 cm, maintaining an average leaf length of 12.25 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width varies from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 8 cm, contributing to the overall surface area optimized for light interception within its ecological niche.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

19 cm

Leaf length mean:

12.25 cm

Leaf length min:

6 cm

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

8 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Prunus zippeliana is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its flowering and fruiting structures. The reproductive cycle involves inflorescences that typically range in length from a minimum of 0.02 m to a maximum of 0.06 m. The individual flowers within these structures vary in size, with lengths measuring between 0.5 cm and 0.9 cm. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits that exhibit distinct dimensional variations; the fruit length typically averages 2.1 cm, falling within a range of 1.8 cm to a maximum of 2.4 cm. Similarly, the fruit width shows a mean of 0.95 cm, with measurements spanning from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum width of 1.1 cm.

Flower length max:

0.9 cm

Flower length min:

0.5 cm

Fruit length max:

2.4 cm

Fruit length mean:

2.1 cm

Fruit length min:

1.8 cm

Fruit width max:

1.1 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.95 cm

Fruit width min:

0.8 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.06 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.02 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Prunus zippeliana has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Melanin.

Melanin

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Conditions

Prunus zippeliana has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include hyperpigmentation.

Hyperpigmentation

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin