ma niao pao

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• ma niao pao

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Przewalskia roborowskii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is positioned in the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae. It is further categorized under the specific genus Przewaalskia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within several regions of China. It can be found growing throughout the South-Central portions of the country. Additionally, the species is present in the North-Central areas of China. Its range extends further into the high-altitude province of Qinghai. Finally, this medicinal plant is also documented as occurring within Tibet.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Przewaalskia tangutica is defined by its specialized adaptation to high-altitude alpine environments, where it thrives within a specific vertical distribution. This species is primarily found in extreme montane habitats, occupying an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 3,200 m AMSL. It maintains a presence throughout the high-mountain belt, reaching an elevational range maximum of 5,000 m AMSL. Throughout its natural distribution, the plant settles at a characteristic elevational range mean of approximately 4,100 m AMSL, indicating its preference for the harsh, thin-air conditions and specific climatic niches associated with these high-elevation ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

5000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

4100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

3200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Przewaalskia tangutica is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. This longevity allows the plant to establish a stable presence within its natural habitat, typically engaging in a recurring cycle of vegetative growth and seasonal flowering. As a perennial, it relies on robust root systems to survive dormant periods, enabling it to emerge annually to undergo reproductive processes. This life cycle strategy supports its long-term survival and ability to colonize specific ecological niches through successive years of development.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Przewaalskia tangutica is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. It exhibits a self-supporting structural habit rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. The plant functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic behavior, and it maintains a terrestrial existence, lacking any aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic tendencies.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Przewałskia tangutica is characterized by its specific carbon fixation mechanism and distinct leaf morphology. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and environmental adaptations. The foliage displays significant morphological variation in its dimensions, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 10 cm to a maximum of 15 cm, maintaining a mean length of 12.5 cm. Furthermore, the leaf width is constrained within a narrow range, measuring between a minimum of 3 cm and a maximum of 4 cm, reflecting the structural parameters of its vegetative growth.

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length mean:

12.5 cm

Leaf length min:

10 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

3 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Przewaalskia tangutica is characterized by the development of fruits that exhibit notable variations in size and dimension. The fruits produced by this species typically maintain a mean length of 1.5 cm and a mean width of 1.5 cm, though they can fluctuate significantly in scale. Specifically, the fruit length ranges from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 2 cm, while the fruit width spans from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 2 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds are produced with a measured mean mass of 0.6711 g, contributing to the plant's overall reproductive capacity and dispersal potential.

Fruit length max:

2 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.5 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit width max:

2 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.5 cm

Fruit width min:

1 cm

Seed mass mean:

0.6711 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Przewalskia tangutica has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Biotechnology and applied biochemistry

Root

1. Biotechnology and applied biochemistry

Chemicals

Przewalskia tangutica has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include hyoscyamine.

hyoscyamine

1. Biotechnology and applied biochemistry