Saussurea parviflora

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Serratula parviflora

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and order Asterales, it is further categorized into the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified under the genus Saussurea, specifically as the species Saussurea parviflora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range primarily concentrated within the vast territories of Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. In the European portion of its habitat, it can be found across East European Russia. Its distribution extends significantly into the Siberian region, covering several distinct areas. Specifically, it grows within the Altay, Buryatiya, and Chitá regions of Siberia. Furthermore, its presence is also documented throughout the Irkutsk area, highlighting its preference for these rugged landscapes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Saussurea parviflora is characterized by its presence in diverse high-altitude environments, ranging from lush forest floors and wet meadows to rugged, stony places and shrubberies. It thrives in varied landscapes including mountains and tundra, often situating itself near rivers where moisture is available. This species occupies a significant vertical niche within its ecosystem, with an elevational range spanning from a minimum of 1600 m AMSL to a maximum of 3500 m AMSL. On average, the plant is found at an elevation of approximately 2550 m AMSL, where it adapts to the specific climatic and geological conditions of these alpine and sub-alpine habitats.

Elevational range max:

3500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2550 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1600 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, meadows: wet, mountains, rivers, shrubberies, stony places, tundra

Life history

The life history of Saussurea parviflora is characterized by its nature as a perennial herb, meaning it lives for more than two years and undergoes recurring seasonal growth cycles. As a perennial species, the plant invests significant energy into developing robust underground structures, typically in the form of thick rhizomes or taproots, which allow it to survive harsh environmental conditions and regrow during favorable growing seasons. Its life cycle involves a period of dormancy during cold or arid months, followed by a vegetative growth phase where it establishes its foliage, eventually progressing to a reproductive stage marked by the development of inflorescences. This long-term survival strategy enables the plant to persist in its specific alpine or high-altitude habitats, accumulating biomass over multiple years to support its reproductive efforts.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Saussurea parviflora is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, manifesting as a self-supporting plant that does not require climbing structures. As a terrestrial species, it functions as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. The plant exhibits a relatively compact stature, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 1 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 0.42 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.42 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological structure of the foliage in Saussurea parviflora is characterized by a highly consistent morphology within its leaf dimensions. The leaves exhibit a mean length of 9.5 cm, typically ranging from a minimum of 9 cm to a maximum of 10 cm. This longitudinal growth is complemented by a specific width profile, where the leaves maintain a mean width of 2.5 cm, fluctuating between a minimum of 2 cm and a maximum of 3 cm. This narrow, standardized leaf dimension suggests a specialized adaptation for efficient resource management within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

9.5 cm

Leaf length min:

9 cm

Leaf width max:

3 cm

Leaf width mean:

2.5 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Saussurea parviflora is characterized by its bisexual reproductive structure, ensuring that individual flowers contain both male and female organs. The flowering period occurs during the summer months, specifically starting in July and concluding in August. Following successful pollination, the plant produces small fruits, which exhibit a fruit length ranging from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.3 cm, with an average length of approximately 0.25 cm. These fruits are dispersed via an anemochorous syndrome, meaning they rely on wind currents to facilitate seed dispersal away from the parent plant.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

0.3 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.25 cm

Fruit length min:

0.2 cm

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Saussurea parviflora has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 11,12,13-Trihydroxy-4(15),8-eudesmadiene-9-one, Eudesman-8beta,12-olide-1-O-beta-D-glucoside.

11,12,13-Trihydroxy-4(15),8-eudesmadiene-9-one

1. Phytochemistry

Eudesman-8beta,12-olide-1-O-beta-D-glucoside

1. Phytochemistry