Rhodiola yunnanensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sedum sinicum
• Sedum yunnanense var. valerianoides
• Sedum valerianoides
• Sedum yunnanense var. oxyphyllum
• Sedum henryi
• Sedum yunnanense var. rotundifolium
• Sedum yunnanense
• Sedum yunnanense var. henryi
• Rhodiola yunnanensis var. henryi
• Rhodiola rotundifolia
• Rhodiola yunnanensis var. valerianoides
• Rhodiola sinica
• Rhodiola henryi

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Saxifragales, it is a member of the Crassulaceae family. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Rhodiola, with the species name yunnanensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several distinct regions of Asia. Within China, its presence is noted in the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast territories. It can also be found growing in the high-altitude terrains of Tibet. Beyond the borders of China, the species extends into the Indian Subcontinent. Specifically, it is documented to inhabit the region of Assam.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rhodiola yunnanensis is characterized by its specialized adaptation to high-altitude montane environments, where it occupies a specific vertical niche within its habitat. This species thrives within a distinct elevational range, typically found at altitudes starting from a minimum of 2400 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 4325 m AMSL. Such a distribution indicates that the plant is well-suited to the unique microclimates of alpine or subalpine zones, where it must contend with lower atmospheric pressures, intense ultraviolet radiation, and significant fluctuations in temperature. By inhabiting these high-elevation belts, Rhodiola yunnanensis plays a specific role in the mountain ecosystem, likely growing in rocky crevices or alpine meadows where the soil composition and drainage patterns meet its physiological requirements for survival in extreme mountainous terrain.

Elevational range max:

4325 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2400 m AMSL

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Rhodiola yunnanensis has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2,4-D, 6-BA, IBA, NAA, Salidroside.

2,4-D

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

6-BA

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

IBA

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

NAA

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Salidroside

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica