Rhododendron latoucheae

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ericales, it is classified under the family Ericaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Rhododendron.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found within specific regions of East Asia. Its distribution includes several areas across China, specifically throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories. Furthermore, the species can be located in the Nansei-shoto islands of Eastern Asia. It is also widely recorded as growing in Taiwan. Together, these locations define the natural geographical range of Rhododendron latoucheae.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rhododendron latoucheae is strictly defined by its preference for specific montane altitudinal gradients, typically colonizing high-altitude habitats where it plays a vital role in the mountain ecosystem. This species thrives within a distinct elevational range, predominantly found at a mean elevation of approximately 1500 m AMSL. Its distribution is bounded by lower limits starting at 1000 m AMSL and extends upward to a maximum elevation of 2000 m AMSL. Within these vertical zones, the plant adapts to the specific climatic and soil conditions characteristic of mid-to-high mountain environments, occupying niche spaces that facilitate its growth and survival throughout its natural range.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1000 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Rhododendron latoucheae is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish a stable presence within its natural habitat over many years. As an evergreen plant, it maintains its foliage throughout the year, providing a continuous photosynthetic capacity that distinguishes its growth pattern from deciduous varieties. This combination of a long-lived life cycle and persistent greenery enables the plant to endure through varying seasonal shifts while maintaining its structural integrity and vegetative density.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rhododendron latoucheae is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a tree. This species is a self-supporting plant, lacking any climbing or liana-like tendencies. In terms of stature, it typically reaches a mean height of 2.5 m, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum height of 2 m to a maximum height of 3 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

2.5 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological development of Rhododendron latoucheae is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its foliage, which play a critical role in its photosynthetic efficiency and environmental adaptation. The leaf architecture exhibits a measurable range of sizes, with leaf lengths typically spanning from a minimum of 5 cm to a mean of 6.5 cm, reaching a maximum of 8 cm. Complementing this longitudinal growth, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 2.5 cm and a maximum of 5.5 cm. These structural parameters define the surface area available for gas exchange and light interception, directly influencing the plant's metabolic processes and its ability to regulate transpiration within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length mean:

6.5 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

5.5 cm

Leaf width min:

2.5 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rhododendron latoucheae is characterized by the development of distinct fruit structures that exhibit specific morphological dimensions. The fruits produced by this species are elongated in shape, with a mean length of 3.75 cm, though they can vary from a minimum of 3.5 cm to a maximum of 4 cm. In terms of width, the fruit maintains a highly consistent profile, with a mean width of 0.4 cm, a minimum width of 0.4 cm, and a maximum width of 0.4 cm, indicating a uniform, slender diameter throughout its development.

Fruit length max:

4 cm

Fruit length mean:

3.75 cm

Fruit length min:

3.5 cm

Fruit width max:

0.4 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Rhododendron latoucheae has 1 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.

Leaf

1. Fitoterapia
2. Journal of Asian natural products research

Chemicals

Rhododendron latoucheae has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Glycosides.

Glycosides

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Activities

Rhododendron latoucheae has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiviral.

Antiviral

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Conditions

Rhododendron latoucheae has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include herpes simplex virus-1.

Herpes simplex virus-1

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Preparations

Rhododendron latoucheae has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves.

Leaves

1. Fitoterapia