Rhodiola crenulata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rhodiola megalophylla
• Sedum rotundatum var. oblongatum
• Sedum megalanthum
• Sedum megalophyllum
• Sedum rotundatum
• Sedum crenulatum
• Sedum euryphyllum
• Rhodiola rotundata
• Rhodiola euryphylla

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Saxifrages, falling into the family Crassulaceae. Finally, it is situated within the genus Rhodiola.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several high-altitude regions of Asia. Within China, it is primarily found in the South-Central areas, as well as throughout Qinghai and Tibet. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within the East Himalaya region. Furthermore, the species is documented to grow within the borders of Nepal. Together, these locations highlight the plant's preference for the rugged mountainous terrains of the eastern Himalayas.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rhodiola crenulata is defined by its specialization in high-altitude alpine environments, where it thrives within a very specific and narrow vertical niche. This species is strictly adapted to extreme montane conditions, occupying a specialized elevational range that begins at 4600 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 4900 m AMSL. Living within this high-alpine belt, the plant must contend with intense ultraviolet radiation, low atmospheric pressure, and significant temperature fluctuations characteristic of such altitudes. Its presence is typically associated with rocky crevices, scree slopes, or alpine meadows where the substrate allows for survival amidst the harsh climatic stresses of the high-altitude plateau.

Elevational range max:

4900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

4600 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Rhodiola crenulata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically functioning as a forb. It is a terrestrial plant that grows directly in the soil rather than as an epiphyte. While some members of the genus may exhibit climbing tendencies, this species is classified as a self-supporting plant, meaning it does not rely on other structures for vertical support.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rhodiola crenulata is characterized by its adaptation to high-altitude, alpine environments, where it manages metabolic processes under significant abiotic stress. Central to its energy production is its photosynthetic pathway, which follows the C3 mechanism, a characteristic typical of many perennial herbs inhabiting temperate and subalpine zones. To maintain physiological stability in fluctuating temperatures and intense UV radiation, the plant utilizes specialized metabolic pathways to synthesize high concentrations of bioactive phenylethanoids, such as salidroside, and flavonoids. These secondary metabolites function as key physiological components in antioxidant defense systems, mitigating oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during environmental stress. Furthermore, the plant exhibits robust osmotic adjustment capabilities, regulating cellular turgor and membrane integrity to survive periods of physiological drought and extreme cold common to its natural habitat.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Rhodiola crenulata has 4 reported plant parts identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, rhizome, flower, stem.

Root

1. Chinese herbal medicines
2. Neural regeneration research
3. Scientific reports
4. Gene
5. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Rhizome

1. Chinese herbal medicines
2. Scientific reports

Flower

1. BioMed research international

Stem

1. BioMed research international

Chemicals

Rhodiola crenulata has 26 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Salidroside, Flavonoids, Adenosine Phosphates, CA, CD.

Salidroside

1. GigaScience
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
4. Frontiers in genetics
5. Gene

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Adenosine Phosphates

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

CA

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

CD

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

CU

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Condensed Tannins

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Ellagitannin

1. Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM

Free Fatty Acids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Gallotannins

1. Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM

Activities

Rhodiola crenulata has 5 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Neuroprotective, Antidepressant, Antifatigue, Antioxidant, Antitumor.

Neuroprotective

1. Neural regeneration research
2. The American journal of Chinese medicine

Antidepressant

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Antifatigue

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE

Antitumor

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Rhodiola crenulata has 17 reported investigations on conditions identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Alzheimer's disease, PH, antidepressant, apoptosis, cardiac arrhythmias.

Alzheimer's disease

1. Neural regeneration research
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Ph

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antidepressant

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Apoptosis

1. Neural regeneration research

Cardiac arrhythmias

1. Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine

Cold stress

1. Gene

Colitis

1. Food & function

Cough

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fatigue

1. Frontiers in plant science

Glioblastoma

1. The Journal of surgical research

Preparations

Rhodiola crenulata has 7 reported preparations identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include RCE, Rhodiola crenulata extract (RCE), Rhodiola crenulata water extract, Water-extraction, alcohol-precipitation.

Rce

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rhodiola crenulata extract (rce)

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Rhodiola crenulata water extract

1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Water-extraction

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

Alcohol-precipitation

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

Edible alcohol extract of the root

1. Neural regeneration research

Ethanol extract

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