Cyclobalanopsis helferiana

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Evergreen Oak
• Holm Oak
• holly oak

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cyclobalanopsis helferiana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Fagales and the family Fagaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Quercus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad and diverse geographical distribution across several key Asian regions. Within China, its presence is noted in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, the species can be found in the Assam region. Additionally, it inhabits the rugged terrains of the East Himalaya. These varied locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in multiple distinct ecological zones.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Quercus helferiana is characterized by its preference for lowland habitats, where it thrives within specific altitudinal constraints. This species occupies a broad elevational gradient, extending from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1000 m AMSL. Throughout its natural distribution, it maintains a mean elevation of approximately 591 m AMSL, positioning it primarily within lower-altitude ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

591 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Life history

The life history of Quercus helferiana is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the individual to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a growth form that can manifest as a larger phanerophyte or a more compact nanophanerophyte depending on environmental conditions and developmental stage. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, retaining its foliage to facilitate continuous metabolic processes. This combination of a long-lived perennial nature and a phanerophyte life form ensures its stability within its ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Quercus helferiana is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, reaching a maximum plant height of 27 meters. As a self-supporting organism, it does not exhibit climbing behavior, functioning instead as an independent species rather than a parasite. The plant is strictly terrestrial in its ecological habit, lacking any aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. Its structural integrity is defined by its significant woodiness, which supports its large stature as it develops into a mature tree.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

27 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Quercus helferiana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a lack of nitrogen-fixing capabilities. Its leaf morphology features an elliptic form with entire margins, notably possessing spines but no thorns. The leaf dimensions vary, with a minimum length of 4 cm and a maximum length of 9 cm, while the width ranges from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 4 cm, resulting in a mean leaf size of 8.51 cm². The Specific Leaf Area (SLA) exhibits significant data points, including a mean value of 58.87 cm²/g and a maximum/minimum recorded value of 107.8797264 cm²/g. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a consistent stem specific density (SSD) of 820 mg/cm³ across its minimum, mean, and maximum recorded measurements.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

9 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf size mean:

8.51 cm²

Leaf spines :

yes

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width mean:

2.5 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

58.87 cm²/g

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

107.8797264 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) min:

820 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Quercus helferiana is characterized by a sexual reproductive strategy, specifically functioning as a monoeciouis species, while asexual reproduction is noted as absent. The flowering period typically commences in April and concludes in June. During this stage, the flowers exhibit a size range with lengths varying from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 8 cm. The pollination process follows an abiotic syndrome, specifically utilizing wind as the primary mechanism for pollen transfer. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces dry, black-colored fruits. These fruits vary in dimensions, with a minimum length of 1.5 cm and a mean of 1.7 cm, reaching a maximum of 3.5 cm, and a width ranging from 0.8 cm to a maximum of 1.8 cm. The seeds produced are relatively substantial, possessing a mean mass of approximately 2.725 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 1.953 g to a maximum of 2.5 g. Finally, the dispersal of the reproductive units is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, relying on animals to aid in the distribution of the seeds.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flower length max:

8 cm

Flower length min:

3 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit colour :

black

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

3.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.7 cm

Fruit length min:

1.5 cm

Fruit width max:

1.8 cm

Fruit width min:

0.8 cm

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

monoecious

Seed mass max:

2.5 g

Seed mass mean:

2.7251166665 g

Seed mass min:

1.953 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Quercus helferiana 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 fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny

Leaf

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Quercus helferiana has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid, ANTHOCYANIN, Fatty acids, MG.

Flavonoids

1. Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny
2. Natural product research

9,12-Octadecadienoic acid

1. Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny

ANTHOCYANIN

1. Natural product research

Fatty acids

1. Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny

MG

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

SAPONIN

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Tannin

1. The British journal of nutrition

Tyrosol

1. Natural product research

oleic acid

1. Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny

palmitic acid

1. Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny

Preparations