Chinese Sticky Sage

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese Sticky Sage

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. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified in the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic designation concludes within the genus Salvia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range across several key regions in Asia. Within China, its distribution spans from the South-Central areas to the North-Central provinces. It can also be found growing in the high-altitude landscapes of Qinghai. Furthermore, the species is documented as occurring throughout Tibet. Finally, its habitat extends into the East Himalaya region of the Indian Subcontinent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Salvia roborowskii is defined by its specialized habitat within high-altitude alpine ecosystems, where it thrives under extreme environmental conditions. This species is strictly adapted to high-elevation zones, occupying a specific ecological niche within a narrow altitudinal band. Its distribution is confined to an elevational range between 3800 m AMSL and a maximum of 4300 m AMSL. Living at these heights, the plant must withstand intense ultraviolet radiation, significant diurnal temperature fluctuations, and potentially thin, nutrient-poor soils characteristic of subnival or alpine tundra environments. This restricted elevational range suggests a high degree of specialization to the unique microclimates and atmospheric pressures found in these uppermost mountainous reaches.

Elevational range max:

4300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

3800 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Salvia roborowskii is characterized by a biennial lifecycle, meaning the plant typically completes its developmental stages over a period of two years, often focusing on vegetative growth during the first year and reproductive flowering during the second. In terms of its physical structure and survival strategy, it is classified as a therophyte, a life form that relies on ephemeral seasonal growth and survives unfavorable conditions through highly resistant seeds that remain dormant until environmental triggers permit germination.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

biennial

Morphology

The morphology of Salvia roborowskii is characterized by its classification as a non-woody herb, specifically exhibiting a forb growth form. This plant functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, as it maintains a terrestrial life habit. Regarding its structural support, it is a self-supporting species rather than a climber, maintaining its upright posture through its own herbaceous tissue.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Salvia roborowskii is primarily driven by the production of seeds, which serve as the fundamental unit for dispersal and the establishment of new individuals. The reproductive cycle involves the development of seeds within the plant's floral structures, where the quantitative characteristics of the progeny play a crucial role in survival strategies. Specifically, the seed mass of this species is characterized by a mean value of 0.2389 g, a metric that influences the energy reserves available to the germinating seedling and its ability to compete within its ecological niche. This seed mass is a vital component of the plant's life history, affecting both the dispersal distance and the initial growth vigor of the offspring during the establishment phase.

Seed mass mean:

0.2389 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Salvia roborowskii has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include RUTIN, quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside.

RUTIN

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

quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside

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