Rubia tibetica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rubia transalaica

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianaales, it is further categorized into the family Rubiaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Rubia and the species name Rubia tibetica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several key regions in Central and Western Asia. In Central Asia, its presence is specifically noted in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Moving toward Western Asia, the species can be found within the borders of Afghanistan. The distribution also extends significantly into China, where it inhabits the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Additionally, it is documented to grow within the Xinjiang province of China.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rubia tibetica is characterized by its adaptation to high-altitude montane environments, where it thrives across a significant altitudinal gradient. It is typically found inhabiting rugged mountainous terrain, specifically favoring stony places and rocky substrates that provide its necessary growing medium. The species occupies an expansive elevational range, occurring at altitudes as low as 1,800 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 4,400 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

4400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1800 m AMSL

Habitat :

mountains, stony places

Life history

The life history of Rubia tibetica is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its persistence in its natural habitat through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its ecological structure and growth habit, the species is classified as a chamaephyte, meaning its buds are located close to or just above the soil surface, allowing it to withstand environmental stressors common to its specific niche. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and a low-growing life form enables the plant to establish stable populations within its ecosystem.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rubia tibetica is characterized by its diminutive stature, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.12 m. It functions as a self-supporting climber, possessing the structural capability to ascend or maintain its position without external reliance. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, and it maintains a terrestrial life habit rather than growing as an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.12 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rubia tibetica is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle that occurs during the warmer months of the year. The flowering process typically commences in June and continues through the summer season, reaching its conclusion in August. This reproductive window ensures that the plant's floral development is synchronized with its environmental conditions, facilitating pollination within this specific timeframe.

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Rubia tibetica has 1 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Fitoterapia
3. Chemistry & biodiversity

Chemicals

Rubia tibetica has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthraquinones.

Anthraquinones

1. Fitoterapia

Conditions

Rubia tibetica has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Rubia tibetica has 5 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include roots, Tibetan medicine, Water and ethanol extracts of roots, ethanol extract, water extract.

Roots

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

Tibetan medicine

1. Fitoterapia

Water and ethanol extracts of roots

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethanol extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Water extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology